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 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring and strategic partnership between the global health agency and the Jordanian government, with a specific focus on bolstering universal health coverage (UHC), advancing mental health initiatives, and coordinating humanitarian health responses in an increasingly volatile region.
The centerpiece of the visit was a high-level audience with His Majesty King Abdullah II. This meeting underscored the profound importance of the trip, reflecting Jordan’s established role as a regional leader in positioning public health as a top-tier national and global priority. During their deliberations, Dr. Tedros and King Abdullah II engaged in deep discussions regarding the systemic strengthening of health infrastructure, the necessity of expanding equitable access to care, and the urgent requirement for sustained international support for emergency medical responses. These responses are currently critical for the Palestinian people, particularly those evacuated from Gaza to Jordan for life-saving treatment, as well as the millions of refugees whom Jordan has graciously hosted for years.
In expressing his gratitude for the Kingdom’s ongoing contributions, Dr. Tedros remarked, “I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage. 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 further emphasized the specific impact of the "Medical Corridor" initiative championed by His Majesty. This initiative has become a lifeline, delivering essential, high-acuity care to ill and injured children transported from the conflict zone in Gaza. “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,” the Director-General added.
Following the meeting with the King, Dr. Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital currently providing specialized, intensive care to children who have been evacuated from Gaza. During this poignant visit, he met with the young patients and their families, as well as the frontline health workers who are working tirelessly to deliver life-saving treatments for complex injuries, cancer, and other grave health conditions. This visit served to underscore the operational significance of the medical evacuation corridor currently facilitated through Jordan. It also highlighted the stark reality that without sustained, predictable international support, the ability to ensure that children and other civilians in dire need can access essential, high-quality care will remain fragile.
In an effort to turn these observations into actionable policy and funding, the Director-General convened a high-level meeting with key health partners, including representatives from donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and leading philanthropies. The agenda focused on identifying financing priorities for strengthening Jordan’s health systems and ensuring the continuity of humanitarian health actions. A major component of these discussions involved scaling up mental health services—a critical need in environments defined by displacement and conflict—and providing robust, long-term support for countries that carry the heavy burden of hosting large refugee populations. Dr. Tedros expressed his encouragement at the strong collaboration and the firm commitment displayed by international partners to invest in the health stability of Jordan and the broader Middle East.
Additionally, Dr. Tedros held formal bilateral discussions with the Jordanian Minister of Health. Their conversation was centered on the technical aspects of reinforcing Jordan’s national health system and the progress made toward achieving UHC. Jordan has, in recent years, emerged as a global leader in utilizing a primary health care approach to achieve universal coverage. Notably, this includes the successful integration of mental health services into the primary care framework, ensuring that patients can access psychiatric and psychological support as a standard, routine part of their overall healthcare experience. The WHO continues to provide strategic support for this integration through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
A notable aspect of the State visit was the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. The couple participated in several of the day’s engagements in their capacities as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing supporters of the WHO’s global mandate. Archewell has played a visible role in supporting a wide array of WHO initiatives, ranging from the effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to the logistics of medical evacuation and the implementation of mental health programming.
Prince Harry, who has long been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, participated as an ally of the WHO’s work in this sector. Throughout the day, he emphasized the vital importance of investing in mental health across diverse communities and emergency settings, noting the specific needs of men, young people, and children, who are often disproportionately affected by the trauma of crisis.
Dr. Tedros acknowledged the importance of this partnership, 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 significance of the visit, noting the unique role Jordan plays on the international stage. “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,” 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.”
The second day of the State visit promises to be equally intensive. Dr. Tedros is scheduled to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Jordan. This facility, which receives support from the WHO, provides a comprehensive, integrated model of care that addresses medical, psychological, and social needs. Furthermore, the Director-General will engage with various community leaders and prominent women’s groups, including those from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the grassroots impact of health policies. He is also slated to visit the King Hussein Cancer Center to facilitate discussions regarding the latest advancements in cancer care and the potential for increased regional collaboration in oncology.
The conclusion of the State visit will be marked by further engagements with partners who are currently supporting humanitarian operations on the ground. These final discussions are intended to reinforce the critical role that Jordan plays as a central hub for medical evacuations, rapid emergency responses, and the long-term resilience of health systems throughout the region. By the end of the two-day visit, the WHO aims to have solidified a framework for continued support that acknowledges Jordan’s humanitarian contributions while ensuring the sustainability of its national health goals.
