Muscat: The average life expectancy in Oman has increased marginally according to the latest research.
In 2007 the average life expectancy was 72 years. It is now 72.7 years, as stated in the annual health report, published by the Department of Information and Statistics at the Directorate General of Planning.
The report attributes the general improvement to changes in the health infrastructure, combined with better living conditions in Oman.
Life expectancy in the country has increased steadily in recent years. It was 65.9 years in 1990.
The report also found that Omani women are better off than their male counterparts, with a life expectancy of 75, in comparison to 70.
The infant mortality rate stands at a low of 9.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births. And the mortality of children below five is 12 for every 1,000.
The research has also found that Oman has had no cases of polio since 1993 and diphtheria since 1991.However, the country still remains vulnerable to chicken pox, which affected 25,319 people last year.
The Ministry of Heath’s total expenditure in 2009 stood at OMR329.7 million riyals (Dh3145.22 million). Out of this, more than 30.1 million riyals were spent on development programmes, like setting up new health centres and upgrading existing facilities. Nine new health projects are currently being built in the Dhofar region and eight others have been planned for other districts.
