Wednesday 24 / December / 2025
Muscat: More than 120 healthcare professionals from across the Sultanate gathered in the capital this week for AMR Update 2025, a one-day scientific meeting aimed at addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Oman.
Held under the theme “Detect Early, Treat Early,” the conference featured expert presentations on national AMR trends, advances in rapid diagnostic technologies and practical strategies to strengthen surveillance programmes. Sessions also focused on the detection of critical resistance mechanisms such as ESBL, MCR-1 and carbapenemase production, alongside discussions on Candida auris, an emerging pathogen of growing concern globally.
Organised by Alfarsi National Enterprises and held at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Hormuz Grand, the event brought together infection-control practitioners, microbiologists, clinical pathologists, academics and laboratory leaders—underscoring the country’s increasing focus on early detection and stronger antimicrobial stewardship.
Chairing the event, Dr Amina Al Jardani, AMR Coordinator and Consultant at the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between clinicians, laboratories and policymakers. She noted that rapid detection and timely clinical decision-making remain “central to preserving the effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials.”
Participants also heard from Dr Azza Al Rashdi, who presented Oman’s AMR surveillance findings and highlighted national achievements in combating resistance; Dr Meher Rizvi of Sultan Qaboos University, who spoke on advances in diagnostic technologies; and Dr Wafa Al Tamtami from the Medical City for Military and Security Services, who shared local experiences in integrating rapid testing into clinical workflows.
International expertise was represented by Dr Ahmad Ibrahim of NG Biotech, France, who demonstrated how next-generation rapid test kits can accelerate treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
A hands-on workshop on rapid AMR detection provided participants with practical exposure to point-of-care tools and interpretation methods, drawing strong engagement from laboratory professionals and clinicians.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Saju George, Managing Director of Alfarsi National Enterprises, said the strong turnout reflected Oman’s growing commitment to tackling AMR through innovation, education and cross-sector collaboration. “Our goal is to bring global expertise to Oman and equip local teams with the knowledge and tools required to detect resistance early and respond with confidence,” he said.
