The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today successfully concluded the first day of his comprehensive two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The high-profile visit serves to underscore the exceptionally strong and enduring partnership between the global health agency and the Jordanian government across several critical domains, including universal health coverage, comprehensive mental health initiatives, and vital humanitarian health actions within a volatile region.
A central moment of the visit was today’s high-level meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. This significant encounter reflected the profound importance of the State visit and recognized Jordan’s steadfast leadership in advancing health as both a national and a global strategic priority. Discussions between Dr. Tedros and King Abdullah II focused heavily on strengthening resilient health systems, expanding equitable access to quality care, and sustaining international and regional support for emergency responses. Particular attention was devoted to the plight of the Palestinian people, patients evacuated from Gaza into Jordan for specialized medical treatment, and the millions of refugees generously hosted by the Jordanian kingdom over many years.
Expressing his deep gratitude for the nation’s unwavering humanitarian stance, Dr. Tedros noted his appreciation during the discussions. “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 emphasized the kingdom’s broader contributions to regional stability and human welfare. “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.
As part of his robust itinerary, Dr. Tedros visited a specialized, WHO-supported hospital dedicated to providing advanced care to children who have been medically evacuated from Gaza. During this deeply moving visit, the WHO Director-General met directly with young patients and their families, as well as the dedicated frontline health workers who are working tirelessly around the clock to deliver life-saving treatments for severe injuries, cancer, and a wide array of other complex, life-threatening conditions. The hospital visit starkly highlighted the irreplaceable importance of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while simultaneously emphasizing the critical need for sustained, long-term international financial and logistical support to ensure that children and other vulnerable individuals in urgent need can reliably access essential health care services.
In addition to his royal audience and hospital inspections, the Director-General convened a high-level strategic meeting with key health partners, prominent donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and leading philanthropic organizations. The primary agenda of this gathering centered on addressing crucial financing priorities required for ongoing health system strengthening within Jordan, as well as maintaining active humanitarian health actions. Particular focus was placed on scaling up comprehensive mental health services and adequately supporting host countries that continue to carry the immense socioeconomic and logistical responsibilities of accommodating large refugee populations. Dr. Tedros warmly welcomed the strong collaboration and the continued, tangible commitment of these international partners to invest sustainably in health infrastructure and human capital in Jordan and across the wider Middle East region.
Continuing his official engagements, Dr. Tedros held extensive bilateral discussions with Jordan’s Minister of Health. These talks honed in on specific strategies for fortifying the nation’s domestic health system and advancing the overarching goal of universal health coverage. Jordan has consistently demonstrated remarkable global leadership by strengthening a primary health care approach designed to achieve universal coverage, which notably includes the successful integration of mental health care into routine medical services. This ensures that ordinary citizens and residents can seamlessly access psychological and psychiatric support as an ordinary, unstigmatized component of their routine, everyday health care. The World Health Organization continues to actively support this groundbreaking work through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
Notably, the WHO Director-General was accompanied during several key engagements by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, participating in their official capacities as the founders of Archewell Philanthropies and long-standing, dedicated supporters of the World Health Organization’s global mission. Archewell has previously provided vital support to a diverse array of WHO initiatives, ranging from advocating for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines to supporting critical medical evacuation and comprehensive mental health programs. Prince Harry actively participated in the day’s events as a committed ally of the WHO’s ongoing mental health advocacy, using the platform to highlight the vital importance of investing in mental health support across all communities, particularly within emergency settings, conflict zones, and vulnerable populations, with specialized attention directed toward men, young people, and children.
Reflecting on this high-profile collaboration, Dr. Tedros expressed his sincere gratitude. “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,” he stated.
Echoing these sentiments, Prince Harry shared his perspective on the visit and the partnership with the global health body. “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. 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,” said Prince Harry.
Looking ahead to the continuation of the high-level itinerary, the second day of the State visit will see Dr. Tedros travel to Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts. The center receives crucial support from the WHO and provides comprehensive, integrated medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services to individuals in need. Furthermore, the Director-General is scheduled to meet with local community leaders and women’s advocacy groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development. His schedule also includes an important visit to the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center to discuss recent medical advancements in cancer care and foster deeper regional medical collaboration.
The comprehensive State visit will officially conclude with a final series of engagements involving international partners who provide vital support to ongoing humanitarian operations. These concluding meetings will further reinforce Jordan’s indispensable, recognized role as a vital regional hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency response coordination, and overall health system resilience throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region.
