Health, vaccinations and medical care in Oman

The rule that shapes everything

• Medical facilities in Oman match UK quality standards. That is the good news.
• Visitors must use private healthcare, and it is billed privately.
• Visitors without travel insurance or the means to settle the charges may be stopped from leaving the country until the debt is paid. That is the FCDO's own statement, and it is why Oman also asks to see your insurance at the border.
• Take a policy that covers treatment and evacuation, carry the certificate, and know the assistance number.

Heat

• Extreme heat has caused deaths in Oman through dehydration and heat exhaustion. This is the leading health risk here and it is entirely preventable.
• Summer runs May to September and inland temperatures pass 45 C routinely.
• Fluid and salt, not just water. Start walks at dawn. Stop in the middle of the day.

Other risks

• Dengue is present and the FCDO lists it explicitly; the mosquito bites in daylight.
• MERS coronavirus is a regional risk and is associated with camels - avoid contact with them and do not drink unpasteurised camel milk.
• Altitude sickness is possible on Jebel Shams at 3,000 m.

Medicines

• Some medicines that are ordinary at home are regulated differently here. Carry the prescription and check anything controlled before flying.

Numbers

• 9999 for an ambulance, and it is the general emergency number - not 999 or 911.