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 mission, which highlights the deepening strategic partnership between the international health body and the Jordanian government, has served as a focal point for high-level discussions on universal health coverage (UHC), the integration of mental health services, and the scaling up of critical humanitarian health interventions in a region marked by ongoing conflict and displacement.
A central pillar of this diplomatic visit was a high-level meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. This engagement underscored Jordan’s long-standing role as a regional leader in prioritizing health as both a national necessity and a global imperative. During their discussions, the two leaders explored pathways to fortify health systems against systemic shocks, strategies for expanding equitable access to primary care, and the urgent need for sustainable financial and operational support for emergency responses. Central to these talks were the humanitarian crises currently affecting the Palestinian people, the plight of patients evacuated from Gaza for specialized life-saving treatment, and the extensive health needs of the millions of refugees currently residing within Jordan’s borders.
In his address following the meeting, Dr. Tedros expressed his profound appreciation for King Abdullah II’s unwavering 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 noted. "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 importance of Jordan’s unique humanitarian initiatives, most notably the "Medical Corridor." This program, championed by the King, serves as a vital lifeline, facilitating the transfer of ill and injured children from the besieged Gaza Strip to specialized care facilities in Jordan. "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," Dr. Tedros added.
The human impact of these geopolitical challenges became the focal point of the afternoon when Dr. Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital tasked with providing specialized pediatric care to those evacuated from Gaza. The visit offered a sobering look at the realities of medical evacuation, as the Director-General met with young patients struggling with complex injuries, cancer, and other critical health conditions. By interacting directly with the families and the frontline health professionals who are working under immense pressure to deliver life-saving treatments, Dr. Tedros highlighted the absolute necessity of maintaining the medical corridor. He underscored that sustained international support is not merely an option but a prerequisite to ensuring that the most vulnerable children can access essential care that is currently unavailable in their home territories.
To bolster the financial and operational foundations of these efforts, the Director-General convened a strategic meeting with a diverse group of stakeholders, including health partners, representatives from donor nations, various United Nations agencies, and key philanthropic organizations. The conversation centered on the prioritization of funding for strengthening Jordan’s domestic health infrastructure while simultaneously ensuring that the country has the resources required to continue its humanitarian health operations. A key focus of this session was the scaling up of mental health services, an area where Jordan has made significant strides, and the necessity of supporting countries that bear the disproportionate burden of hosting large refugee populations. Dr. Tedros welcomed the strong collaborative spirit displayed by these partners, noting that investment in Jordan’s health system serves as a stabilizer for the entire region.
In bilateral talks with the Jordanian Minister of Health, the focus shifted to the technical aspects of health system reform and the advancement of UHC. Jordan has emerged as a global model for the implementation of a primary health care approach, particularly through the successful integration of mental health services into routine care. This systemic change, which ensures that mental health is treated with the same priority as physical health, is supported by the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, a program that the WHO continues to champion within the Kingdom.
The visit was further distinguished by the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. Participating in their capacity as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing advocates for the WHO’s global mission, the couple accompanied Dr. Tedros throughout several key engagements. Archewell has a proven track record of supporting the WHO in critical areas, including the drive for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the facilitation of medical evacuations, and the expansion of mental health programming.
Prince Harry, speaking as an ally of the WHO’s mental health initiatives, emphasized the necessity of investing in psychological well-being, particularly for men, young people, and children who find themselves caught in the crossfire of emergency settings and prolonged conflict. Dr. Tedros acknowledged their contribution, 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."
Reflecting on the mission, Prince Harry remarked, "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 moves into its second day, the itinerary remains demanding and focused on the future of health resilience. Dr. Tedros is scheduled to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, an institution supported by the WHO that provides a holistic model of integrated medical, psychological, and social services. Following this, he will engage with various community leaders and women’s organizations, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the grassroots impact of health policies. Furthermore, a visit to the King Hussein Cancer Center is planned to facilitate high-level discussions regarding the latest advancements in oncology and to explore opportunities for enhanced regional collaboration in cancer care.
The visit is set to conclude with a series of final meetings with partners dedicated to supporting humanitarian operations. These closing engagements are designed to reinforce Jordan’s indispensable role as a regional hub for medical evacuation, emergency response, and health system resilience. By consolidating these partnerships and highlighting the successes of the Jordanian model, the WHO aims to ensure that the momentum generated during this visit translates into tangible, long-term improvements for the health and dignity of populations throughout the region.
