Until 1997, there was no formal teaching in tropical medicine in Arabian Peninsular countries, although many tropical diseases (for example, malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis), are endemic in the region. A six month, part time Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) course was established in the Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, in 1997, for small groups of Omani doctors wishing to sit the annual DTM&H examination in London. To date, 21 doctors have been successful, and the Royal College of Physicians of London has accredited the Tropical Medicine School in Oman as an appropriate training centre for the examination. Since over 20 doctors apply each year for the six available places in the course, a full time DTM&H course for larger groups of doctors, from Oman and regional countries, is under consideration.