The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, using the high-profile diplomatic trip to underscore the robust and enduring partnership between the global health agency and Jordan across critical sectors, including universal health coverage, mental health services, and humanitarian health action in a volatile region.
A central and defining moment of the visit was today’s high-level meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II in the capital. The royal audience reflected both the profound significance of this State visit and Jordan’s sustained leadership in advancing health as a premier national and global priority. Discussions between the WHO chief and the Jordanian monarch focused intensively on strengthening national health systems, expanding equitable access to quality care, and sustaining international and regional support for emergency health responses. Particular attention was paid to the ongoing crises affecting the Palestinian people, patients evacuated directly from Gaza to Jordan for specialized medical treatment, and the hundreds of thousands of refugees generously hosted by the Kingdom.
Expressing his deep gratitude during the engagements, Dr Tedros lauded the Hashemite leadership. "I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his unwavering 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 essential health services to more than three million refugees, primarily from Gaza and Syria, who are living peacefully within the country."
Dr Tedros further elaborated on Jordan’s vital geopolitical and humanitarian role, noting that the nation continually sets an example for the international community. "We are grateful for Jordan’s broader humanitarian leadership, including His Majesty’s visionary Medical Corridor initiative, which delivers critical, life-saving care to ill and injured children from Gaza. Jordan continues to show the world what it truly means to put health and humanity first."
As part of his packed itinerary on the ground, Dr Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital delivering specialized, complex care to children who had been evacuated from Gaza. During the hospital tour, he met directly with young patients and their families, as well as the dedicated frontline health workers who are working around the clock to deliver life-saving treatment for severe injuries, pediatric cancer, and a range of other serious medical conditions. This poignant visit powerfully highlighted the irreplaceable importance of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while simultaneously emphasizing the urgent need for sustained, predictable international financial support to ensure that vulnerable children and other individuals in dire need can continue to access essential medical care without interruption.
In addition to his royal audience and hospital visit, the Director-General convened a high-level strategic meeting with key health partners, donor countries, United Nations agencies, and major philanthropic organizations. The roundtable discussion centered on aligning and scaling up financing priorities for comprehensive health system strengthening within Jordan, as well as maintaining ongoing humanitarian health operations. Key discussion points included the expansion of integrated mental health services and the provision of robust, sustained assistance to countries hosting large populations of refugees. Dr Tedros warmly welcomed the strong collaboration and continued commitment demonstrated by international partners to invest in health infrastructure and resilience both in Jordan and across the wider Middle East region.
Continuing his official engagements, Dr Tedros also held bilateral discussions with Jordan’s Minister of Health. Those talks focused heavily on domestic health system reforms and the steady realization of universal health coverage. Jordan has long demonstrated global leadership by successfully implementing a primary health care approach designed to achieve universal coverage. This includes the pioneering integration of mental health services into routine care, ensuring that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support seamlessly as a standard part of their medical treatment. The World Health Organization continues to support this vital work through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, fostering a model that other nations can study and adapt.
Significantly, the 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 founders of Archewell Philanthropies and long-standing, active supporters of the WHO’s global public health agenda. Archewell has previously provided critical support to a wide range of WHO initiatives, stretching from advocacy for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines to logistical backing for medical evacuation operations and comprehensive mental health programs. Prince Harry participated actively as a dedicated ally of the WHO’s ongoing work on mental health advocacy, using the platform to highlight the absolute necessity of investing in mental health across diverse communities and emergency settings, with a particular, empathetic focus on men, young people, and children who bear the psychological scars of conflict.
Reflecting on this collaborative partnership, Dr Tedros stated, "I want to thank our partners, including Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose steadfast commitment to mental health and humanitarian action has helped bring much-needed visibility, vital resources, and genuine hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Their collaboration is helping to advance WHO’s core mission to ensure health for all."
Adding his perspective on the ground, Prince Harry shared his thoughts 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," said Prince Harry. "Through our work with Archewell Philanthropies, my wife and I have seen first-hand the impact of WHO’s tireless efforts to support mental health and deliver life-saving care in emergency contexts. We remain deeply committed to advancing awareness, reducing social 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."
Looking ahead to the remainder of the trip, the second day of Dr Tedros’s State visit will feature a visit to Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by WHO that delivers integrated medical, psychological, and social services to patients. He is also scheduled to meet with prominent community leaders and women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development. Furthermore, the Director-General will tour the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center to discuss remarkable advances in specialized cancer care and explore opportunities for expanded regional collaboration in oncology. The high-profile State visit will ultimately conclude with additional strategic engagements with international partners supporting humanitarian operations, cementing Jordan’s irreplaceable role as a secure regional hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency responses, and long-term health system resilience.
