Geneva: The Sultanate of Oman has won three international health awards from the World Health Organization (WHO) at the 77th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva on 31 May 2024 — making Oman the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to receive three WHO health awards simultaneously.
The honours recognise the efforts of Omani health professionals whose research and frontline work have delivered measurable improvements in public health, both within Oman and across the region.
The Three Award Winners
Dr Bader Al-Rawahi received the prestigious Dr Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health. As Director of Communicable Diseases and Control and Manager of the Expanded Programme of Immunization at Oman's Ministry of Health, Dr Al-Rawahi is internationally recognised for expanding inclusive vaccination access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he achieved 94% immunisation coverage regardless of registration status, and he continues to support immunisation programmes across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Dr Ahmed Hamed Saif Al-Wahaibi was jointly awarded the His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion. A family physician leading the Elderly Care Section in the Primary Health Care Department, Dr Al-Wahaibi developed Oman's national screening and assessment programme for citizens aged 60 and above, including electronic health records for multidisciplinary teams and strengthened nurse capacity for elderly assessments.
Dr Jamila Taiseer Yasser Al-Abri received the Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize. As Director of the Department of Woman and Child Health and an experienced obstetrician-gynaecologist, Dr Al-Abri has contributed extensively to Oman's Health Vision 2050, including work on maternal mortality prevention, communicable disease management, and regional technical assistance projects.
A Historic Milestone for the Eastern Mediterranean
The awards ceremony took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva as part of the 77th session of the World Health Assembly — the annual gathering at which heads of state and health ministers discuss and advance global health priorities.
Oman's Minister of Health, Dr Hilal Ali Al Sabti, attended the ceremony. The triple recognition is described as historic for the Eastern Mediterranean region and reflects the depth of Oman's commitment to advancing health research and service delivery.
The achievement stands as a testament to the Omani health professionals — researchers and service providers alike — who are driving the development of the country's healthcare sector on the world stage.
