Expat Guide To Healthcare In Oman

Expat life is exciting: traveling to new locations, meeting new people, exploring diverse cultures – for most people, life really can’t get any better than that. However, even the exciting expat life is not one without a few worries. When moving to a new place, there is a lot of anxiety over your ability to adjust to your new surroundings.

One of the biggest worries expats have on their minds when traveling to foreign locations is health and wellness. The kind of hospitals and medical care that you're used to might not be available in some locations. So, what's the healthcare system like in a 21st-century monarchy like Oman?

Located on the south-eastern coast of the Arab Peninsula, Oman holds a strategically important place at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. With developed countries like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to the west and northwest, and Yemen to the southwest, Oman is well connected by land to the Arab world. Iran and Pakistan share Oman's maritime border. The Arabian Sea to the southeast and the Gulf of Oman to the northeast form the country's coastline. The terrain in Oman is varied across its span. The deserts and valleys make up about 80 percent of the Arab nation's geography. Most of it is a wide desert plain with mountain ranges to the north and southeast.

The climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast. Summers in Oman are usually very hot, with temperatures shooting up to 40 degrees Celsius and sometimes even higher. The north of the country receives an inadequate amount of annual rainfall - roughly 100 mm in January. Rainfall is much higher in the mountains, with Jebel Akhdar recording around 900 mm of rainfall. The south has a more tropical atmosphere with moderate rainfall in the months of June to September. Winters are mild and the most pleasant of all seasons in Oman. The temperature ranges from a cool 18 degrees Celsius at night to 26 degrees Celsius in the day during the winters.

Oman for expats

Oman is an absolute monarchy with its capital in Muscat. Despite having modest oil reserves that put it in 25th place worldwide in terms of oil production, the country's economy is not solely dependent on oil exports.

A large portion of Oman's wealth is generated through fishing, tourism, exports of dates and other agricultural produce. This has led to the UNDP ranking Oman as the most improved nation in 2010 due to the progress it has made in the last 40 years.

According to a survey conducted by the Global Peace Index, it has also been ranked 74th on the list of most peaceful countries globally. In 2016, HSBC conducted a survey that ranked the country at 18th position among a list of 45 countries across the globe suitable for expat life. It is a lucrative option for expats looking to make good of the high-income economy.

Adjusting to Oman's climate

There are a few things that expats must keep in mind before making the move. Common health problems in Oman often occur due to the extremely high temperatures in the region. If you're not from the Gulf region, the arid climate can prove to be quite the shock to your system. There is a high chance of sunburn and sunstroke from prolonged exposure to the sun. That is why it's recommended to carry hats and sunglasses at all times of the day and use sunscreen when outside. Dehydration can also occur very quickly, which is why it is advised that you drink fluids throughout the day.

Given that Oman is in a steady state of construction, the dust in the air can also cause respiratory problems to those prone to dust allergies and breathing issues. When moving to Oman, the following vaccinations or boosters are generally prescribed:

> Hepatitis A
> Hepatitis B
> Meningitis
> Rabies
> Influenza
> Diphtheria
> Polio
> Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
> Pertussis (whooping cough)
> Tetanus

You should also consult your doctor or general practitioner for any other medications or vaccines that you might need to take before your trip.