In a significant public health move, the Sultanate of Oman has ushered in a new era for matrimony. Effective January 1, 2026, a Royal Decree has made premarital medical examinations compulsory for all Omani nationals, transforming them from an optional check-up to a fundamental legal requirement for marriage.
The Decree and Its Universal Application
The new rule, enacted via Royal Decree No. 111/2025 issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is now being implemented by the Ministry of Health. It establishes that completing the prescribed medical screening is a basic condition for concluding any marriage contract involving an Omani citizen. The requirement is comprehensive and applies universally: whether the wedding is held inside Oman or abroad, and whether one or both parties are Omani. Even in unions where one partner is a foreign national, the Omani citizen must undergo the examination. Marriage officiants are strictly prohibited from solemnizing a marriage unless both individuals present a valid premarital medical examination certificate.
Focus on Hereditary and Infectious Diseases
The mandatory screening programme is strategically designed to tackle specific health challenges. Its primary focus is on detecting carriers of hereditary blood disorders, namely sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Additionally, it screens for key infectious diseases: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. According to the Omani Ministry of Health, this initiative is a cornerstone of broader preventive efforts aimed at limiting the spread of genetic, hereditary, and infectious diseases within society.
The Ministry outlines multiple benefits of this proactive approach. Early detection significantly reduces the chances of children being born with serious hereditary blood disorders. It also helps alleviate the immense health, social, psychological, and financial burdens that such conditions can place on families. On a national level, the policy is expected to reduce the long-term strain on healthcare institutions and blood banks. Crucially, it prevents the transmission of infectious diseases between spouses and from mother to fetus, while ensuring couples can access timely preventive and therapeutic care.
From Optional to Mandatory: A Necessary Shift
Premarital screening is not a new concept in Oman; it has been available since 1999. However, for over two decades, participation was voluntary. Despite awareness campaigns, the uptake remained disappointingly low, reaching only 42 percent in 2025. Authorities have stated that this persistently low participation rate was the driving factor behind the decision to mandate the programme. The Ministry has clarified that the requirement is not intended to interfere with a couple's freedom to marry. Instead, its purpose is to ensure both parties enter the marriage fully informed about their health status through standardized testing and subsequent medical counselling.
The examinations are conducted at government primary healthcare centres as well as at accredited private medical facilities. The process guarantees strict confidentiality, with results shared only with the individuals concerned and followed by appropriate counselling. A completion certificate is issued electronically and is linked directly to the Supreme Judicial Council’s Notary Public platform for verification. The decree establishes clear penalties for non-compliance: violators face imprisonment ranging from ten days to six months, and/or fines between 100 and 1,000 Omani riyals.
This landmark policy positions Oman at the forefront of preventive healthcare in the region, placing informed family planning and public health firmly at the heart of the social institution of marriage.
