World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has concluded the first day of his high-level two-State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, using the diplomatic mission to spotlight the robust and enduring partnership between the global health agency and the Jordanian government. The visit places a distinct emphasis on universal health coverage (UHC), mental health integration, and critical humanitarian health interventions across the Middle East.
A central moment of the visit occurred during a formal meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. The high-level talks underscored the profound importance of the State visit and recognized Jordan’s steadfast leadership in advancing health as both a national priority and a pillar of global stability. Discussions during the royal audience centered heavily on strengthening national health systems, expanding equitable access to quality care, and sustaining international and regional support for emergency health responses. Particular attention was devoted to the plight of the Palestinian people, patients evacuated directly from Gaza to Jordan for specialized medical treatment, and the millions of refugees hosted generously within Jordan’s borders.
Expressing his deep gratitude, Dr. Tedros addressed the monarch directly regarding the nation’s humanitarian track record. "I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage," Dr. Tedros said. "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 broader regional footprint in humanitarian leadership. He specifically highlighted His Majesty’s Medical Corridor initiative, a vital logistical and humanitarian lifeline that delivers critical medical care to ill and injured children evacuated from Gaza. Through these ongoing efforts, Dr. Tedros noted, Jordan continues to demonstrate to the international community what it truly means to put health and humanity first, even amid severe geopolitical and economic strain.
Following the royal meeting, Dr. Tedros transitioned from diplomatic halls to frontline medical facilities, visiting a WHO-supported hospital that provides specialized care to children evacuated from Gaza. During the hospital tour, he spent time engaging directly with young patients and their grieving or anxious families. He also took the opportunity to speak with frontline health workers who are tirelessly delivering life-saving treatments for traumatic injuries, advanced cancer cases, and other complex, serious medical conditions.
The hospital visit served to visually and practically highlight the indispensable nature of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan. Furthermore, it reinforced the urgent, ongoing need for sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that children and other vulnerable individuals trapped in conflict zones can successfully access essential, life-saving care.
In addition to clinical visits, the WHO Director-General convened a high-level strategic meeting with key health partners, donor countries, United Nations agencies, and prominent philanthropies. The roundtable discussion focused on critical financing priorities aimed at bolstering Jordan’s health system infrastructure and sustaining ongoing humanitarian health actions. Key agenda items included scaling up comprehensive mental health services and addressing the complex systemic needs of host countries bearing the heavy socioeconomic and administrative responsibilities of hosting large refugee populations. Dr. Tedros welcomed the strong collaboration and continued dedication of these partners, praising their willingness to invest robustly in health security and resilience within Jordan and across the wider region.
Earlier in his itinerary, Dr. Tedros held extensive bilateral discussions with Jordan’s Minister of Health. Those talks zeroed in on strategic measures to further fortify Jordan’s domestic health system and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Jordan has increasingly demonstrated global leadership by institutionalizing a primary health care approach designed to achieve UHC. Notably, this includes the systematic integration of mental health services into routine care frameworks, ensuring that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support as a seamless part of standard medical treatment. The WHO continues to actively support this pioneering work through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
Adding a notable international dimension to the diplomatic mission, Dr. Tedros was accompanied during several key engagements by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. The royal couple participated in their official capacities as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing, active supporters of the World Health Organization’s global mission. Archewell has previously provided critical support for a wide array of WHO initiatives, ranging from advocacy for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to supporting complex medical evacuation and mental health programs in crisis zones.
During the engagements, Prince Harry participated actively as a vocal ally of WHO’s ongoing mental health campaigns. He emphasized the vital importance of investing heavily in mental health infrastructure across communities and emergency settings, drawing specific attention to the psychological burdens borne by men, young people, and children living through protracted crises.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr. Tedros expressed his appreciation for the royal couple’s involvement. "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," Dr. Tedros stated. "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 and the partnership with the global health agency. "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," Prince Harry said. "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."
Prince Harry added that their shared dedication remains unwavering. "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 high-profile State visit transitions into its second day, Dr. Tedros has a full schedule ahead. He is slated to visit Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, a specialized facility supported by the WHO that offers integrated medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services to individuals struggling with substance use.
Additionally, the Director-General will meet with influential community leaders and grassroots women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development. His itinerary also features a scheduled visit to the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center, where discussions will center on recent advancements in specialized cancer care and the potential for enhanced regional scientific and clinical collaboration.
The multi-day State visit is scheduled to conclude with a series of final engagements with international and local partners who support ongoing humanitarian operations in the Kingdom. These closing meetings will serve to further reinforce Jordan’s irreplaceable, strategic role as a regional hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency response, and long-term health system resilience in the Middle East.
The reporting for this coverage was coordinated by Paul Garwood, Communications Officer, alongside the WHO Media Team at the World Health Organization.
