AMMAN — World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has concluded the first day of his high-level, two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, using the diplomatic mission to underscore the robust, enduring partnership between the global health agency and the Jordanian government. The discussions throughout the opening day centered heavily on advancing universal health coverage (UHC), strengthening national and regional mental health initiatives, and reinforcing critical humanitarian health actions across the Middle East.
The cornerstone of the visit’s opening day was a formal meeting between Dr Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. This high-profile encounter served to highlight the overarching significance of the State visit while recognizing Jordan’s exemplary leadership in positioning health as both a vital national interest and an essential global priority. During their dialogue, the two leaders exchanged deep insights on methods to fortify health systems, broaden equitable access to quality medical care, and sustain vital support for emergency medical responses throughout the region. Particular emphasis was placed on addressing the urgent needs of the Palestinian population, patients who have been medically evacuated from Gaza to Jordan for specialized treatment, and the extensive population of refugees currently hosted within Jordan’s borders.
Following the meeting, Dr Tedros expressed his profound gratitude for the nation’s steadfast approach to public health. "I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage," Dr Tedros stated. "I also extend my thanks to His Majesty and the people of Jordan for their solidarity and generosity in providing health services to more than three million refugees, primarily from Gaza and Syria, who are living in the country."
The WHO chief further commended Jordan’s wider humanitarian footprint, pointing directly to innovative diplomatic and logistical efforts led by the monarchy. "We are grateful for Jordan’s broader humanitarian leadership, including His Majesty’s Medical Corridor initiative, which delivers critical care to ill and injured children from Gaza," Dr Tedros added. "Jordan continues to show the world what it truly means to put health and humanity first."
In line with these humanitarian commitments, Dr Tedros spent a portion of the day touring a WHO-supported hospital dedicated to providing specialized medical care to children evacuated directly from conflict zones in Gaza. During the visit, the Director-General walked the wards to meet young patients and their families, as well as the frontline health workers who are tirelessly delivering life-saving treatments for severe injuries, cancer, and other complex medical conditions. This firsthand view reinforced the indispensable nature of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while also shedding light on the ongoing necessity for sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that vulnerable children and other displaced individuals can secure unhindered access to essential health interventions.
Expanding the scope of the visit to address systemic financial and operational challenges, the Director-General convened a high-level strategic meeting later in the day. The gathering brought together key health partners, donor nations, various United Nations agencies, and leading philanthropies. Participants engaged in detailed discussions regarding financing priorities aimed at fortifying Jordan’s domestic health infrastructure and maintaining ongoing humanitarian health responses. Key agenda items included scaling up specialized mental health services and formulating robust mechanisms to support countries that shoulder the responsibility of hosting large refugee populations. Dr Tedros welcomed the strong collaboration and the continued dedication of these international partners to invest meaningfully in health across both Jordan and the broader region.
In addition to multilateral engagements, Dr Tedros held focused bilateral talks with Jordan’s Minister of Health. These discussions drilled down into specific strategies for enhancing the resilience of Jordan’s national health system and accelerating progress toward universal health coverage. Officials noted that Jordan has consistently demonstrated global leadership by anchoring its UHC strategy in a strong primary health care framework. This approach has notably included the integration of mental health services directly into routine care delivery, ensuring that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support without encountering traditional institutional barriers. The World Health Organization continues to back these systemic reforms through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which aims to expand access to quality mental health care in underserved or crisis-affected settings.
Adding a prominent collaborative dimension to the diplomatic mission, Dr Tedros was accompanied during several key engagements by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The royal couple participated in their capacities as the founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing, active supporters of the World Health Organization’s global mandate. Over the years, Archewell has provided critical support to a diverse array of WHO initiatives, ranging from advocacy for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to supporting ongoing medical evacuation operations and mental health programs in crisis zones. Prince Harry took part in the itinerary specifically as an ally of WHO’s global mental health advocacy, using the platform to emphasize the vital importance of investing in psychological well-being across diverse communities and emergency settings, with targeted attention directed toward the needs of men, young people, and children.
Reflecting on this high-profile partnership, Dr Tedros remarked, "I want to thank our partners, including Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose commitment to mental health and humanitarian action has helped bring visibility, resources and hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Their collaboration is helping to advance WHO’s mission to ensure health for all."
Echoing these sentiments, Prince Harry shared his perspective on the significance of the visit. "It is an honour to join the Director-General of the World Health Organization in Jordan, a country that is leading by example in compassion, resilience and innovation," said Prince Harry. "Through our work with Archewell Philanthropies, my wife and I have seen first-hand the impact of WHO’s efforts to support mental health and deliver life-saving care in emergencies. We remain deeply committed to advancing awareness, reducing stigma and expanding access to mental health support for all those affected by conflict and crisis. Mental health is fundamental to recovery, dignity and long-term peace, and we are proud to stand with WHO and partners around the world to make it a global priority."
As the first day of the official mission drew to a close, preparations were already underway for a dense schedule on the second and final day of the State visit. Dr Tedros is slated to visit Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, a specialized facility supported by the WHO that delivers integrated medical, psychological, and social recovery services. Additionally, the Director-General will meet with influential community leaders and prominent women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss community-level resilience and grassroots health empowerment.
The itinerary will also feature a dedicated visit to the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center, where Dr Tedros will engage with clinical experts and administrators regarding recent advances in cancer treatment protocols and opportunities for expanded regional collaboration in oncology. The State visit is scheduled to conclude with further high-level consultations involving international partners who support ongoing humanitarian operations, thereby reinforcing Jordan’s vital, enduring role as an indispensable regional hub for medical evacuations, emergency response coordination, and long-term health system resilience.
The reporting for this mission is supported by Paul Garwood, Communications Officer for the World Health Organization, alongside the broader WHO Media Team.
