AMMAN — The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has successfully concluded the first day of a pivotal two-day state visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The visit serves as a powerful testament to the deepening strategic partnership between the WHO and the Kingdom, focusing on the critical pillars of universal health coverage (UHC), the advancement of mental health services, and the coordination of humanitarian health responses in an increasingly volatile region.
The cornerstone of the visit was a high-level meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. This audience underscored the global significance of Jordan’s role as a beacon of stability and a proactive leader in prioritizing public health as both a national necessity and a key component of international diplomacy. During their deliberations, the two leaders conducted an in-depth review of strategies to bolster national health systems, expand equitable access to care, and maintain the vital infrastructure required for emergency medical responses. A significant portion of these discussions was dedicated to the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian people, with specific attention paid to the medical evacuation of patients from Gaza and the sustained support provided to the millions of refugees currently hosted within Jordan’s borders.
Dr. Tedros took the opportunity to express his profound gratitude for the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to the principles of universal health coverage. "I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage," Dr. Tedros remarked. He further lauded the humanitarian spirit of the Jordanian people, noting their extraordinary generosity in providing essential health services to more than three million refugees—primarily those who have fled conflict in Syria and Gaza—who reside within the country.
Highlighting the practical implementation of these values, Dr. Tedros specifically commended the "Medical Corridor" initiative, a signature humanitarian effort championed by His Majesty. This initiative has been instrumental in delivering life-saving medical care to ill and injured children evacuated from Gaza. By facilitating these transfers, Jordan has positioned itself as a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable, demonstrating to the global community the tangible impact of putting health and humanity at the forefront of national policy.
As part of his itinerary, Dr. Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital currently providing specialized, intensive care to children evacuated from Gaza. During this visit, he engaged with young patients, their families, and the frontline health workers who labor under challenging conditions to provide life-saving treatments for trauma injuries, cancer, and other life-altering medical conditions. This site visit served as a poignant reminder of the absolute necessity of maintaining the medical evacuation corridor. The Director-General emphasized that international support must remain robust and sustained to ensure that children and other individuals in dire need of specialized treatment can continue to access the care that is currently unavailable to them in their home territories.
To address the broader systemic challenges facing the region, Dr. Tedros convened a high-level assembly of health partners, donor nations, various United Nations agencies, and key philanthropic organizations. The discussion was centered on mapping out financing priorities to strengthen Jordan’s health systems while simultaneously scaling up the regional humanitarian response. A particular focus was placed on the expansion of mental health services, which remain chronically underfunded in conflict and post-conflict settings. Dr. Tedros expressed his appreciation for the continued commitment of these partners to invest in health infrastructure in Jordan, noting that such investments provide a blueprint for how other nations hosting large refugee populations can effectively integrate displaced persons into their national health frameworks.
Furthering his dialogue with the Jordanian government, Dr. Tedros held extensive bilateral discussions with the Minister of Health. The conversation focused heavily on the mechanics of achieving universal health coverage, with a spotlight on Jordan’s success in integrating mental health services into primary care. By embedding mental health into routine medical consultations, Jordan has become a global leader in de-stigmatizing psychological care and ensuring that it is treated with the same urgency as physical ailments. This work is supported by the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which seeks to provide the technical expertise necessary to scale such integrated models globally.
The visit was marked by the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, who accompanied Dr. Tedros throughout several key engagements. Attending in their capacity as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing supporters of the WHO’s global mission, the couple highlighted the importance of collaborative philanthropy. Archewell has previously partnered with the WHO on diverse initiatives, including the pursuit of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, medical evacuation programs, and broader mental health advocacy. Prince Harry, speaking as a dedicated ally of the WHO, stressed the vital need to invest in mental health across diverse communities, with a particular focus on the specific needs of men, youth, and children who are disproportionately affected by the trauma of conflict and displacement.
Dr. Tedros acknowledged the significant contributions of the Duke and Duchess, 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 expressed the importance of witnessing these efforts firsthand. "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," the Prince 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 moves into its second day, the itinerary remains packed with engagements aimed at deepening the WHO’s understanding of Jordan’s unique health model. Dr. Tedros is scheduled to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the WHO that provides a comprehensive suite of integrated medical, psychological, and social services. This visit will highlight the importance of holistic treatment approaches in addressing complex health challenges.
Additionally, the Director-General will meet with influential community leaders and various women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the role of community-led initiatives in sustaining health resilience. The final portion of his visit will include a tour of the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center, where he will engage in high-level discussions regarding the future of cancer care and the potential for increased regional collaboration in medical research and specialized treatment.
The state visit is expected to conclude with final meetings with partners involved in humanitarian operations. These closing engagements are designed to solidify the operational framework for ongoing medical evacuations and to ensure that the infrastructure for emergency response remains resilient in the face of shifting regional dynamics. By the end of his stay, the Director-General’s visit will have served to reinforce Jordan’s indispensable role as a regional hub for health, providing a clear path forward for international humanitarian efforts in the Middle East.
