AMMAN — The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his high-profile two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The visit serves to underscore the enduring and robust partnership between the global health agency and the Jordanian government, focusing heavily on critical areas such as universal health coverage, the advancement of mental health services, and comprehensive humanitarian health action across the region.
The cornerstone of the day’s engagements was an official meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. This high-level dialogue underscored the profound importance of the State visit and recognized Jordan’s steadfast leadership in championing health as both a national and a global priority. During their discussions, Dr Tedros and King Abdullah II explored vital strategies for strengthening regional health systems, expanding equitable access to essential medical care, and sustaining international support for emergency health responses. Particular emphasis was placed on the ongoing health needs of the Palestinian people, the specialized care required by patients evacuated directly from Gaza to Jordan for treatment, and the millions of refugees generously hosted by the kingdom.
Reflecting on the discussions, Dr Tedros expressed his profound gratitude to the Jordanian monarch. “I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage,” said Dr Tedros. “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.”
Dr Tedros further commended the nation’s broader humanitarian footprint. “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. 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 significant portion of the day visiting a specialized, WHO-supported hospital dedicated to providing advanced care to children evacuated from the conflict in Gaza. Walking through the wards, the WHO Director-General met with young patients, their families, and the frontline health workers who are tirelessly delivering life-saving treatments for severe injuries, cancer, and other critical medical conditions. This emotional and strategic visit vividly highlighted the indispensable nature of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while emphasizing the urgent need for sustained, long-term international support to ensure that vulnerable children and other displaced individuals can successfully access essential, life-saving care.
Continuing his packed itinerary, Dr Tedros convened a high-level strategic meeting with key health partners, donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and prominent philanthropic organizations. The gathering served as a vital forum to discuss financing priorities aimed at bolstering health system resilience in Jordan and maintaining critical humanitarian health actions. Key agenda items included the scaling up of comprehensive mental health services and securing robust support for host nations bearing the weight of large refugee populations. The Director-General warmly welcomed the strong collaboration and unwavering commitment demonstrated by international partners who continue to invest heavily in the health infrastructure of Jordan and the wider Middle East region.
Earlier in the day, Dr Tedros held focused bilateral discussions with Jordan’s Minister of Health. Their talks centered on concrete steps to reinforce the country’s domestic health system and further advance the goals of universal health coverage. Jordan has long demonstrated global leadership by successfully implementing a primary health care approach designed to achieve universal coverage. Notably, this includes the seamless integration of mental health services into routine primary care, ensuring that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support as an ordinary part of their healthcare experience. The World Health Organization continues to provide vital technical and operational support to this pioneering work through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
Adding an international dimension to the day’s diplomatic and humanitarian engagements, the WHO Director-General was accompanied during several key events by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Participating in their capacities as the founders of Archewell Philanthropies and long-standing, dedicated supporters of the World Health Organization’s global mission, the Duke and Duchess brought added visibility to the proceedings. Archewell has previously provided vital support to a range of WHO initiatives, spanning from ensuring equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines to facilitating medical evacuation and mental health support programmes in crisis zones.
Prince Harry participated actively as a vocal ally of WHO’s ongoing mental health initiatives. Throughout the engagements, he emphasized the critical importance of investing heavily in mental health across diverse communities and emergency settings, drawing specific attention to the psychological needs of men, young people, and children who bear the psychological scars of conflict.
Expressing his appreciation for their continued advocacy, 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.”
Reflecting on his experiences during the visit, Prince Harry shared his perspective on Jordan’s unique role on the world stage. “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. 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 high-level State visit drew to a close, preparations were already underway for a robust second day of engagements. Dr Tedros is scheduled to visit Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, a specialized facility supported by the WHO that provides comprehensive, integrated medical, psychological, and social services to individuals in need. Additionally, the Director-General will meet with local community leaders and women’s advocacy groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, and will tour the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center to discuss remarkable advances in oncology care and foster deeper regional medical collaboration.
The high-profile State visit will ultimately conclude with further strategic discussions alongside international partners who support vital humanitarian operations across the region, firmly reinforcing Jordan’s undisputed status as a crucial regional hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency response, and long-term health system resilience.
Reporting by Paul Garwood, Communications Officer, WHO, in collaboration with the WHO Media Team.
