The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has concluded the first day of his high-profile, two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, using the diplomatic mission to underscore the robust and enduring partnership between the global health body and the Jordanian government. The visit places a powerful spotlight on critical areas of cooperation, including the advancement of universal health coverage (UHC), the expansion of mental health services within primary care frameworks, and urgent humanitarian health action across a volatile region.
A central moment of the journey was Dr Tedros’s official meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. The high-level encounter underscored the immense importance of the State visit and recognized Jordan’s steadfast leadership in positioning health as both a vital national interest and an indispensable global priority. During their extensive discussions, the leaders focused on the practical imperatives of strengthening national health systems, expanding equitable access to quality medical care, and sustaining international and regional support for emergency health responses. Particular emphasis was placed on the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people, the specialized needs of patients evacuated from Gaza into Jordan for emergency medical treatment, and the millions of refugees generously hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom.
Expressing his deep gratitude for the nation’s humanitarian ethos, Dr Tedros addressed the exceptional role played by the Jordanian monarch and the broader population. "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."
The WHO chief further commended Jordan’s broader humanitarian leadership, drawing specific attention to the monarch’s visionary Medical Corridor initiative. This critical operational mechanism facilitates the delivery of urgent, life-saving medical care to severely ill and injured children evacuated directly from the conflict zones of Gaza. Through these continuous efforts, Dr Tedros noted, Jordan continues to demonstrate to the international community what it truly means to put health, dignity, and humanity above all else.
In line with the humanitarian focus of the visit, Dr Tedros travelled to a specialized, WHO-supported hospital in the country dedicated to providing comprehensive care to children who have been evacuated from Gaza. During the hospital tour, he spent meaningful time engaging directly with young patients and their families, as well as listening to the experiences of frontline health workers. These dedicated medical professionals are working tirelessly to deliver life-saving treatments for complex traumatic injuries, pediatric cancer, and a wide array of other serious medical conditions. The poignant visit served to underscore the irreplaceable lifeline provided by the medical evacuation corridor through Jordan, while emphasizing the absolute necessity of sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that vulnerable children and other critical patients retain unimpeded access to essential care.
Expanding the scope of the diplomatic mission to address systemic financial and operational challenges, the Director-General convened a high-level strategic meeting. The gathering brought together key health partners, donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and leading philanthropic organizations. The primary agenda centered on coordinating financing priorities aimed at fortifying Jordan’s health system infrastructure and sustaining ongoing humanitarian health actions. Discussions specifically highlighted the urgent need to scale up comprehensive mental health services and maintain robust support for countries bearing the immense responsibility of hosting large refugee populations. Dr Tedros welcomed the strong collaboration and unwavering commitment demonstrated by international partners, praising their willingness to invest meaningfully in the health resilience of Jordan and the wider Middle East region.
In addition to multilateral engagements, Dr Tedros held focused bilateral discussions with Jordan’s Minister of Health. Their talks zeroed in on strategic pathways to further strengthen the national health system and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Jordan has increasingly established itself as a global leader in championing a robust primary health care approach to achieve UHC. Notably, this includes the successful integration of mental health services directly into routine care settings, ensuring that patients can access psychological support seamlessly alongside physical treatments. The World Health Organization continues to provide vital technical and strategic support to this work, leveraging the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health to drive reform and expand access.
Adding significant international visibility to the visit, Dr Tedros was accompanied during several key engagements by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Participating in their official capacities as the founders of Archewell Philanthropies and long-standing supporters of the World Health Organization’s global mission, the couple brought renewed attention to pressing humanitarian concerns. Archewell has previously provided critical support to a wide range of WHO initiatives, spanning from ensuring equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines to facilitating complex medical evacuation programs and advancing mental health initiatives. Prince Harry actively participated throughout the day as a vocal ally of WHO’s mental health advocacy, emphasizing the urgent necessity of investing in psychological support systems across communities and emergency settings alike, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of men, young people, and children.
Reflecting on this high-profile partnership, Dr Tedros stated, "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."
Echoing these sentiments, Prince Harry shared his reflections on the mission: "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."
As the state visit transitions into its second day, Dr Tedros is scheduled to maintain a rigorous itinerary. His plans include a visit to Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the WHO that delivers integrated medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services. He will also participate in community-level dialogues with local leaders and prominent women’s groups, including the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development. Furthermore, the WHO Director-General will tour the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center to explore recent advancements in oncology care and discuss avenues for enhanced regional medical collaboration.
The comprehensive State visit is set to conclude with a final series of engagements involving key international partners dedicated to sustaining regional humanitarian operations. These concluding meetings will further reinforce Jordan’s indispensable, multifaceted role as a vital operational hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency response, and long-term health system resilience throughout the region.
[Related Contact Information provided by Paul Garwood, Communications Officer, WHO, and the WHO Media Team, World Health Organization.]
