The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has concluded a high-level visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, recognising the country’s sustained commitment to strengthening health systems, advancing universal health coverage and delivering humanitarian medical support in the region.
During his visit to Jordan, Dr Tedros met His Majesty King Abdullah II, senior government officials, international donors and frontline health professionals. Discussions focused on reinforcing primary healthcare systems, expanding access to essential services and maintaining emergency medical support for vulnerable populations, particularly patients evacuated from Gaza and refugees residing in Jordan.
Jordan, a country that hosts millions of displaced people — including refugees from Syria and patients transferred from Gaza for urgent treatment — has been widely acknowledged for integrating humanitarian response within its national health infrastructure. According to WHO data, strengthening primary healthcare remains central to achieving universal health coverage, ensuring that individuals receive the services they need without financial hardship.
Medical Evacuations and Specialist Care
A key component of the visit included a tour of a WHO-supported hospital in Jordan providing specialised treatment to children evacuated from Gaza. Healthcare teams are delivering complex care for trauma injuries, cancer and other serious medical conditions. The medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan has become an essential humanitarian pathway, enabling critically ill and injured patients to access advanced care.
International health literature, including analyses published in The Lancet, has consistently emphasised the importance of protected medical evacuation routes and cross-border health cooperation in conflict settings. Jordan’s model demonstrates how coordinated humanitarian corridors can reduce preventable mortality and ensure continuity of care.
Expanding Mental Health within Primary Care
Mental health services formed a significant part of the agenda. Jordan has adopted a primary healthcare-centred approach that incorporates psychological support into routine services — an approach aligned with WHO recommendations outlined in its Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan. Evidence published in journals such as The BMJ supports integrating mental health into community-based care as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy, particularly in fragile and emergency-affected contexts.
Through WHO’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, Jordan continues to expand access to psychosocial services, ensuring that refugees and host communities alike can receive structured mental health support.
Engagement with International Partners
The Director-General also convened meetings with donor governments, United Nations agencies and philanthropic organisations to review funding priorities for Jordan’s health system and ongoing humanitarian operations. Sustainable financing remains critical for countries hosting large refugee populations, particularly in maintaining service quality and expanding mental health provision.
Among those accompanying parts of the visit were Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in their capacity as founders of Archewell Philanthropies. Their organisation has previously supported WHO-led initiatives, including equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and mental health advocacy in crisis settings. Prince Harry has publicly highlighted the need to address stigma and expand psychological support for men, young people and children affected by conflict.
Rehabilitation and Oncology Collaboration
The second phase of the visit included engagement with Jordan’s National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Substance Dependence, a facility supported by WHO that provides integrated medical, psychological and social services. Substance use treatment is increasingly recognised by global health authorities as a critical component of comprehensive public health systems.
Dr Tedros also visited the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan to discuss advancements in oncology care and regional collaboration in cancer treatment. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality globally, and WHO has repeatedly called for strengthened national cancer control strategies, particularly in middle-income countries hosting displaced populations.
A Regional Hub for Health Security
Jordan’s role as a medical evacuation hub and humanitarian health partner has reinforced its reputation as a centre of regional health resilience. The visit concluded with renewed commitments to international cooperation, sustainable financing and continued collaboration between Jordan and WHO.
As global displacement and protracted crises continue to strain health systems worldwide, Jordan’s integrated approach — combining emergency response, universal health coverage and mental health reform — offers a structured model for balancing humanitarian obligations with national healthcare development.