Muscat: Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, topped the list of causes of 3,939 deaths reported in the Sultanate of Oman in 2023, according to the Ministry of Health in its annual report.
Dr. Abdullah Saeed, a consultant in cardiovascular diseases, said, “Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death in Oman, due to unhealthy lifestyles. Lack of physical activity, excessive consumption of fatty and sugary foods, and smoking are factors that increase the risk of heart disease. We must focus on awareness campaigns and educating the community about the importance of changing their lifestyles to reduce these diseases.”
The doctor also pointed out the importance of early detection, as routine examinations can detect many cases in their early stages, which contributes to reducing the death rates resulting from these diseases.
In addition to heart diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure play a major role in increasing the death rates in Oman.
Statistics indicate that a large percentage of the population suffers from these chronic diseases, which cause serious complications if not managed well, such as kidney failure, neurological diseases, and eye diseases.
Dr. Fatima al-Hasani, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist explains: “Diabetes and high blood pressure are a major health challenge in the Sultanate. Many patients discover that they have these diseases in advanced stages, which makes treatment more difficult. We need to raise awareness about the importance of regular checkups, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to reduce the spread of these diseases.”
Dr. Al-Hasani pointed out governmental and community efforts being made to reduce the spread of these diseases through awareness campaigns and early screening programs, but she stressed the need to intensify these efforts to achieve more positive results.
Traffic accidents are also a cause of death in the Sultanate of Oman, especially among young people. Despite the great efforts made by the Omani government to reduce this phenomenon, such as strengthening traffic laws and raising awareness about the importance of safe driving, statistics indicate that accidents remain a major cause of death in the country.
The Sultanate witnessed many accidents during 2023 that led to loss of life. Most of these accidents are due to excessive speed, failure to adhere to traffic laws, and the use of mobile phones while driving.
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