Health minister meets WHO director, discusses aid, sector priorities: Jordan 2023
Tuesday, Health Minister Firas Al Hawari emphasized the significance of ongoing assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other donors in supporting the Jordanian health sector’s priorities, particularly in light of the country’s growing population.
During a meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held between May 21 and 30 on the sidelines of the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Hawari emphasized the critical role of the international community in shouldering its responsibility toward refugees, thereby safeguarding the achievements of the Jordanian healthcare system.
Minister of Health Meets with World Health Organization Head to Discuss Aid and Sector Priorities
The minister added that the Syrian refugee crisis continues to place significant strain on the Jordanian healthcare system and national health indicators, according to a Wednesday ministry statement cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
In addition to thanking Ghebreyesus, the minister congratulated him on the WHO’s 75th anniversary.
Hawari focused on potential challenges the health sector may confront as a result of factors such as population growth, population ageing, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, namely smoking and obesity.
Despite the challenges posed by an overburdened health sector, the minister confirmed that Jordan provides comprehensive health services to all, including refugees.
Ghebreyesus, for his part, hailed Hawari for attending the assembly and praised Jordan’s “generosity” in harboring refugees for decades, highlighting the significance of primary healthcare and the WHO’s commitment to providing assistance to the Kingdom.
Hawari also met with the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Mandhari, to discuss current national health priorities, such as enhancing primary care and pursuing universal health coverage.
The minister also met with May Abdelwahab, director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency, to discuss the evaluation and care of cancer patients, the training of health personnel, the provision of medical devices, and the conduct of health research.