Oman Pilots Digital Health Cards at Hajj, Presents to WHO

Digital Health Innovation Takes Center Stage

Oman presented its groundbreaking Digital Health card experience at a major World Health Organization event in Geneva, showcasing what officials describe as one of the world's largest tests of digital health records during mass population movement.

Successful Multi-Country Collaboration

The country partnered with Indonesia and Malaysia during the 2024 Hajj season to pilot the digital health cards. More than 250,000 pilgrims carried secure health records that traveled with them, enabling healthcare providers to deliver more effective services. The pilot program continued into 2025, bringing the total number of users to over half a million.

How the System Functions

The digital health card system leverages Oman's existing health technology infrastructure through several key components:

• The "Al Shifa" system connects more than 85% of health institutions across Oman
• A Health Command and Control Center manages services during large events and gatherings
• National digital infrastructure supports secure transfer of health data
• Pilgrims can access their verified health records instantly when seeking medical care

Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Oman's Minister of Health, explained that the system enables "rapid and accurate medical care in the most critical moments" by providing healthcare providers with immediate access to patient history and medical information.

Broader Implications for Global Healthcare

The Hajj pilot represents a significant test case for portable digital health records during mass mobility events. Traditional paper-based systems frequently fail when millions of people travel internationally and require medical care in unfamiliar healthcare systems.

The pilot's success has far-reaching implications beyond religious pilgrimages:

• International travel could become more streamlined with verified health records
• Emergency medical care improves when doctors have instant access to patient history
• Global health coordination strengthens with standardized digital systems
• Future pandemics might be managed more effectively with interoperable health data

Global Digital Health Wallet Initiative

Oman and the WHO are now exploring a "Global Digital Health Wallet" that would enable people to securely access vaccination certificates and medical summaries anywhere in the world through unified standards.

Addressing Pandemic-Era Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in cross-border health coordination. Countries struggled to verify vaccination status, share patient data, and coordinate responses because health systems operated in isolation with incompatible formats.

The Hajj provides an ideal testing ground for digital health solutions. Each year, over two million Muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, creating massive logistical challenges for healthcare providers who must treat patients without access to their medical history.

Strategic Vision and Future Plans

Oman's pilot aligns with the country's Vision 2040 plan, which aims to build a health system supported by modern technology and connected globally. The government is pursuing rapid growth in health technology through 2030, with digital transformation as a key priority.

The WHO meeting in Geneva focused on transitioning from "fragmented and isolated health systems" to comprehensive digital wallets based on international standards. This approach would provide patients with trusted health records that function anywhere, helping doctors make better decisions regardless of location.

Source: Oman shows off digital health card pilot from 2024 Hajj season at WHO meeting - DHArab