AMMAN — The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, concluded the first day of a significant two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan today. The visit, characterized by high-level diplomatic engagement and on-the-ground assessment of humanitarian operations, serves to underscore the robust and enduring partnership between the WHO and Jordan. The visit focuses on three critical pillars: the advancement of universal health coverage (UHC), the integration and expansion of mental health services, and the strengthening of humanitarian health action in a region grappling with persistent conflict and displacement.
A central point of the visit was a formal meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. This high-level dialogue underscored the strategic importance of the visit, highlighting Jordan’s role as a regional leader in positioning health as both a national priority and a global imperative. The discussions were multifaceted, addressing the necessity of resilient health systems capable of withstanding crises, the urgency of expanding equitable access to medical care, and the imperative to maintain international support for emergency responses. Central to these conversations was the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian people, specifically the coordination of medical evacuations from Gaza to Jordan and the continued support for the millions of refugees currently hosted within Jordanian borders.
Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Tedros expressed his profound appreciation for the leadership demonstrated by the Jordanian monarchy. “I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage,” Dr. Tedros stated. He further emphasized the humanitarian impact of Jordan’s policies, adding, “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 Director-General specifically lauded the "Medical Corridor" initiative, a hallmark of Jordan’s humanitarian response, which provides a lifeline for ill and injured children requiring specialized treatment unavailable in Gaza. “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,” he added.
Following the diplomatic engagements, the focus shifted to the tangible realities of healthcare delivery. Dr. Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital currently providing specialized care to children evacuated from the Gaza Strip. During this visit, he met with young patients, their families, and the frontline health workers tasked with delivering life-saving treatments for complex injuries, cancer, and other critical health conditions. This visit served to illustrate the vital necessity of the medical evacuation corridor through Jordan and highlighted the pressing requirement for sustained international funding and logistical support to ensure that the most vulnerable populations—particularly children—can access essential, life-saving care.
To address the financial and operational challenges inherent in these humanitarian efforts, Dr. Tedros convened a high-level meeting with an array of health partners, including representatives from donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and prominent philanthropic organizations. The agenda focused on identifying and prioritizing financing for the strengthening of Jordan’s health infrastructure and the scaling up of ongoing humanitarian health initiatives. Key discussions centered on the integration of mental health services into broader humanitarian responses and the long-term support required for nations hosting large, protracted refugee populations. Dr. Tedros welcomed the strong collaboration and continued commitment of these partners to invest in the resilience of health systems across Jordan and the wider region.
Parallel to these multilateral efforts, the Director-General held bilateral discussions with the Jordanian Minister of Health. These talks focused on the technical aspects of bolstering Jordan’s national health system and advancing the national roadmap toward universal health coverage. Jordan has increasingly become a global case study in adopting a primary health care approach to achieve UHC, particularly in its efforts to integrate mental health services into the routine care provided at the primary level. The WHO continues to support these national efforts through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which provides a framework for integrating mental health support into community-based care.
The visit also featured the participation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. Attending in their capacity as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and long-standing supporters of the WHO’s mission, the couple accompanied Dr. Tedros on several key engagements. Archewell has previously collaborated with the WHO on various health initiatives, ranging from the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the support of medical evacuation programs and global mental health initiatives. Prince Harry’s participation highlighted the critical need for investment in mental health, particularly in emergency settings and for populations affected by conflict, with a specific focus on the needs of men, young people, and children.
Dr. Tedros took the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of his partners. “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,” he said. “Their collaboration is helping to advance WHO’s mission to ensure health for all.”
For his part, Prince Harry remarked on the significance of the visit. “It is an honor to join the Director-General of the World Health Organization in Jordan, a country that is leading by example in compassion, resilience, and innovation,” he stated. “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 State visit transitions into its second day, the itinerary remains focused on both the clinical and community aspects of health. Dr. Tedros is scheduled to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the WHO that provides comprehensive medical, psychological, and social services. Additionally, he will meet with community leaders and women’s organizations, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the role of civil society in health advocacy. The final leg of the visit will include a tour of the King Hussein Cancer Center, where discussions will be held regarding advancements in oncology care and the potential for increased regional collaboration in the fight against cancer.
The State visit will conclude with further engagements with stakeholders involved in humanitarian operations. These final meetings aim to reinforce Jordan’s indispensable role as a regional hub for medical evacuation, emergency health response, and the maintenance of health system resilience in an area of the world frequently defined by its humanitarian complexities. By bringing together diplomatic, philanthropic, and technical expertise, the visit serves as a strategic reaffirmation of the importance of global cooperation in the face of ongoing regional health challenges.
