Mandatory premarital medical examinations came into force on Thursday, January 1, 2026, for all Omanis intending to marry, following a royal decree in a move the authorities say is designed to strengthen family health and curb the spread of genetic and infectious diseases. According to local media reports, the requirement, announced by the Ministry of Health, applies even if one of the couples is non-Omani and regardless of whether the marriage is concluded inside or outside the Sultanate. Completion of the examination is now a basic condition for finalising a marriage contract. Health officials said the screening aims to identify carriers of hereditary blood disorders, specifically sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia, as well as infections including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. The policy forms part of broader preventive measures to limit genetic, hereditary and infectious diseases in society. According to the ministry, early detection can reduce the incidence of children born with hereditary blood disorders, ease health, social, psychological and financial pressures on families, and reduce strain on hospitals and blood banks. It also helps prevent transmission of infectious diseases between spouses and from mother to foetus, while enabling those affected to access appropriate preventive and therapeutic options. Premarital […]