Rheumatic Diseases in the Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman’s healthcare services have evolved significantly, and rheumatology has become an essential component of this progress. Among 94 healthcare facilities, eight governmental hospitals provide rheumatology care. These hospitals include the following: Royal Hospital, Al-Nahda Hospital, Sultan Qaboos Hospital, Salalah, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sohar Hospital, Al Burami Hospital, Nizwa Hospital, and Armed Forces Hospital. Several facilities are part of a rheumatology unit, offering inpatient and outpatient services, as well as daycare. There are no formally certified rheumatology nurses, and the number of trained rheumatology nurses in Oman is limited. A total of 22 adult rheumatologists and five pediatric rheumatologists currently practice across major hospitals. Rheumatologists face several challenges in delivering optimal patient care, including the shortage of specialists, long waiting times for radiological procedures, and limited access to musculoskeletal ultrasound equipment in several regions. Daycare services for intravenous therapies are lacking, and biologic treatments remain restricted in some regions. In addition, poor medication adherence, limited disease awareness among patients, and insufficient rehabilitation facilities further hinder quality care. To meet the growing demand, it is essential to establish national rheumatology fellowship programs and strengthen multidisciplinary teams by increasing the number of specialized nurses, physical therapists, and musculoskeletal radiologists. Furthermore, enhanced screening, early diagnosis, and equitable access to care across all regions are required. Lastly, greater emphasis on rheumatology research is needed to support evidence-based practice and improve healthcare outcomes for patients with rheumatic diseases in Oman.