AMMAN — The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his high-profile two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The visit serves to underscore the enduring and robust partnership between the World Health Organization and the Jordanian government across several critical public health domains, including universal health coverage, mental health services, and humanitarian health action in a region profoundly impacted by ongoing conflict and displacement.
A central moment of the visit was today’s high-level meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. The audience reflected the profound importance of this diplomatic mission and acknowledged Jordan’s steady leadership in advancing health both as a vital national priority and a cornerstone of global stability. Extensive discussions between the WHO chief and the Monarch focused on strengthening the resilience of national health systems, expanding equitable access to clinical care, and sustaining international support for emergency responses throughout the Middle East. Particular attention was devoted to the plight of the Palestinian people, patients evacuated directly from Gaza to Jordan for specialized medical treatment, and the millions of refugees generously hosted by the kingdom over the years.
Addressing the leadership and humanitarian efforts of the nation, Dr Tedros expressed his profound gratitude during official engagements. “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 elaborated further on the kingdom’s exemplary record, highlighting specific regional initiatives that have saved countless lives. “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.”
Earlier in the day, Dr Tedros personally visited a WHO-supported hospital that provides advanced, specialized care to pediatric patients evacuated from the conflict zones of Gaza. During his hospital tour, 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 traumatic injuries, advanced cancer cases, and other complex medical conditions. This emotional and strategic visit vividly illustrated the indispensable nature of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while reinforcing the urgent and ongoing need for sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that vulnerable children and other critically ill individuals can reliably access essential medical care.
In addition to his clinical visits, the Director-General convened a critical high-level roundtable meeting with key health partners, donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and leading philanthropies. The gathering was dedicated to addressing pressing financing priorities aimed at bolstering health system strengthening within Jordan, as well as funding ongoing humanitarian health operations. Key topics on the agenda included scaling up community-based mental health services and adequately supporting nations that shoulder the heavy socioeconomic and logistical burden of hosting large refugee populations. Dr Tedros warmly welcomed the strong collaboration and the continued, unwavering commitment demonstrated by international partners to invest in the long-term health infrastructure of Jordan and the broader region.
The WHO leader also held substantive bilateral discussions with the Jordanian Minister of Health. These talks centered tightly on concrete strategies for reinforcing Jordan’s domestic health system and accelerating progress toward universal health coverage. Jordan has increasingly demonstrated global leadership by successfully implementing a robust primary health care approach to achieve universal health coverage. A notable achievement in this regard has been the seamless integration of mental health services into routine primary care, ensuring that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support as an ordinary and destigmatized part of their standard healthcare routine. The WHO continues to provide active technical and strategic support to this ongoing work through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
Adding a prominent international dimension to the day’s events, Dr Tedros was accompanied during several key engagements by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. The royal couple participated in their official capacities as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing, dedicated supporters of the World Health Organization’s global health agenda. Over the years, Archewell has actively supported a wide array of WHO initiatives, ranging from advocacy for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to vital support for medical evacuation pathways and comprehensive mental health programs. Prince Harry participated actively as a vocal ally of the WHO’s ongoing work on mental health, using the platform to highlight the critical necessity of investing heavily in psychological well-being across diverse communities and emergency settings. His remarks placed a particular, vital emphasis on the mental health needs of men, young people, and children navigating the trauma of crisis.
Reflecting on this high-profile collaboration, 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 perspective on the significance of 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 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 first day of the high-level State visit drew to a close, preparations were already underway for a dense schedule on the second day. Dr Tedros is slated to visit Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the World Health Organization that provides comprehensive, integrated medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services. Furthermore, the Director-General will meet with influential community leaders and prominent women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss grassroots empowerment and health equity. His itinerary also includes a strategic visit to the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center, where he will review modern advances in regional cancer care and discuss avenues for deeper medical collaboration across the Middle East.
The multi-day State visit is scheduled to conclude with additional strategic engagements involving international partners who support vital humanitarian operations across the region. These final meetings will further reinforce Jordan’s irreplaceable role as a secure and reliable humanitarian hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency health responses, and long-term health system resilience.
Additional reporting and media inquiries for the World Health Organization regarding the visit are being coordinated by Paul Garwood, Communications Officer, alongside the wider WHO Media Team in Geneva.
