Minister of Health Firas Hawari has emphasized the significance of ongoing aid from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other donors in supporting the Jordanian health sector’s priorities, particularly given the population growth.
During a meeting on Tuesday with WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the 76th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21-30 May, Hawari also stressed the crucial role played by the international community in shouldering its responsibility toward refugees, thereby safeguarding the Jordanian healthcare system’s achievements.
“The Syrian refugee crisis continues to pose significant challenges and burdens on the Jordanian healthcare system and national health indicators,” he added.
The ministry said in a press release on Wednesday that the minister thanked Ghebreyesus and congratulated him on the occasion of WHO’s 75th founding anniversary.
It added that Hawari focused on predictions about challenges the health sector may encounter due to factors such as population growth, aging, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, specifically smoking and obesity. However, the minister also affirmed that Jordan offered comprehensive health services to all, including refugees, despite the huge burdens this placed on the health sector.
For his part, Ghebreyesus thanked Hawari for participating in the Assembly and commended Jordan’s “generosity” in hosting refugees throughout decades, affirming the importance of primary healthcare and WHO’s commitment to providing assistance to Jordan.
In relevant context, the minister also met with WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Mandhari as well as Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) May Abdel-Wahab.
Source: Jordan News Agency