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 served as a high-level platform to underscore the enduring and strategic partnership between the WHO and the Jordanian government, with a specific focus on advancing universal health coverage (UHC), bolstering mental health services, and coordinating critical humanitarian health actions in a volatile region.
A centerpiece of the visit was a high-stakes meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. The dialogue highlighted Jordan’s role as a regional leader in prioritizing health, both as a national imperative and as a cornerstone of its international humanitarian obligations. The discussions were wide-ranging, covering the strengthening of national health systems, the expansion of equitable access to care, and the urgent necessity of sustaining emergency medical responses. A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to the plight of the Palestinian people, specifically addressing the logistics of treating patients evacuated from Gaza and the ongoing burden of supporting millions of refugees currently hosted within Jordan’s borders.
Following the meeting, Dr. Tedros expressed his profound appreciation for the King’s vision. “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 global impact of Jordan’s hospitality, 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 WHO Director-General took particular note of Jordan’s "Medical Corridor" initiative, a humanitarian effort spearheaded by His Majesty to deliver specialized, life-saving care to ill and injured children evacuated from Gaza. "Jordan continues to show the world what it truly means to put health and humanity first," Dr. Tedros remarked, noting that the initiative serves as a model for how nations can provide essential care amidst regional instability.
In a poignant demonstration of these humanitarian efforts, Dr. Tedros visited a hospital supported by the WHO that specializes in the treatment of pediatric patients evacuated from the Gaza Strip. During his visit, he spent time with the young patients and their families, as well as the frontline health workers who are working under immense pressure to provide treatment for complex injuries, cancer, and other severe medical conditions. This site visit served to highlight the critical necessity of maintaining the medical evacuation corridor through Jordan. Dr. Tedros stressed that sustained international support and funding are vital to ensuring that children and other vulnerable populations retain access to these essential, life-saving services.
Beyond the field visits, the Director-General convened a high-level meeting with an array of health partners, including representatives from donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and key philanthropic organizations. The agenda focused on mapping out financing priorities for strengthening Jordan’s domestic health infrastructure and ensuring that humanitarian efforts—particularly the scaling up of mental health services—remain well-resourced. The meeting also addressed the long-term needs of countries hosting large refugee populations, with Dr. Tedros welcoming the collaborative spirit of the international partners present and their continued commitment to investing in the region’s health security.
In a series of bilateral discussions with the Jordanian Minister of Health, the focus shifted to the technical aspects of health system reform and the progress toward universal health coverage. Jordan has established itself as a global leader in utilizing a primary health care approach to achieve UHC, particularly through the successful integration of mental health services into routine care. This initiative is being supported by the WHO through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which aims to ensure that mental health care is accessible, affordable, and destigmatized as a core component of the national health strategy.
The delegation was joined for several key engagements by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. Attending in their capacities as the founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing advocates for the WHO’s global health mission, the couple’s presence underscored the importance of high-level awareness for humanitarian crises. Archewell has a history of supporting various WHO initiatives, ranging from the promotion of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to the funding of medical evacuation and mental health programming.
Prince Harry, acting as a dedicated ally of the WHO’s mental health advocacy, emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in psychological support, particularly for men, children, and young people living in conflict zones or emergency settings. Dr. Tedros expressed his gratitude for their involvement, stating, "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."
For his part, Prince Harry remarked on the significance of the visit, noting that Jordan’s example of resilience is a beacon for others. "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 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 State visit transitions into its second day, the schedule remains demanding and focused on the practical application of health policy. Dr. Tedros is slated to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the WHO that provides a comprehensive model of integrated medical, psychological, and social services. Following this, he will participate in meetings with community leaders and various women’s groups, including the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the intersection of gender, development, and health equity.
The visit will also include a tour of the King Hussein Cancer Center, where discussions will center on recent advancements in oncology and the potential for greater regional collaboration in cancer research and treatment. The Director-General’s visit is scheduled to conclude with final engagements with key stakeholders supporting humanitarian operations. These meetings are intended to reinforce Jordan’s indispensable role as a regional hub for medical evacuation, emergency response, and the development of health system resilience, ensuring that the Kingdom remains a central pillar of stability and care in an often-unpredictable regional landscape.
