The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has concluded the first day of a pivotal two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The visit serves as a high-level endorsement of the robust and enduring partnership between the WHO and Jordan, specifically highlighting the country’s role as a regional leader in universal health coverage (UHC), mental health advocacy, and humanitarian health action.
A defining moment of the visit occurred today during a formal meeting between Dr. Tedros and His Majesty King Abdullah II. The high-level dialogue underscored the critical importance of the Kingdom’s leadership in elevating health as both a national necessity and a global priority. The discussions between the two leaders were comprehensive, focusing on the systemic strengthening of healthcare infrastructure, the imperative of expanding equitable access to medical care, and the necessity of sustaining international support for emergency health responses across the region. A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to the ongoing humanitarian crises, particularly regarding the Palestinian people, the medical evacuation of patients from Gaza to Jordan for life-saving treatment, and the immense logistical and moral burden of hosting millions of refugees within the Kingdom.
"I wish to express my appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his commitment to advancing universal health coverage," Dr. Tedros stated following the meeting. "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 currently residing in the country."
The Director-General further emphasized the unique humanitarian contributions of the Kingdom, specifically highlighting the "Medical Corridor" initiative championed by His Majesty. This initiative has been instrumental in delivering critical, time-sensitive care to ill and injured children evacuated from Gaza. By facilitating these transfers, Jordan has demonstrated to the international community a profound commitment to putting health and humanity at the forefront of its policy agenda, even amidst regional volatility.
As part of his official itinerary, Dr. Tedros visited a WHO-supported hospital facility dedicated to providing specialized, high-level care to children evacuated from the Gaza Strip. During this visit, he met with young patients who have faced unimaginable hardship, along with their families and the frontline medical staff working tirelessly to deliver treatment for severe injuries, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions. This visit served as a poignant reminder of the necessity of the medical evacuation corridor through Jordan. It also highlighted the urgent, ongoing need for sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that the most vulnerable—particularly children trapped in conflict zones—can access the essential medical care they require to survive.
Building on these field engagements, Dr. Tedros convened a high-level meeting with a broad coalition of health partners, including donor countries, various United Nations agencies, and key philanthropic organizations. The meeting was designed to address the pressing financing priorities for strengthening Jordan’s health system and to coordinate ongoing humanitarian health actions. Topics of discussion included the scaling up of mental health services and the provision of long-term support for nations that, like Jordan, host significant refugee populations. Dr. Tedros expressed his gratitude for the strong collaboration and the continued commitment of these partners to invest in the health security of Jordan and the wider region.
The Director-General also held bilateral discussions with the Jordanian Minister of Health. Their talks centered on the long-term objective of strengthening the national health system and the strategic goal of advancing universal health coverage. Jordan has established itself as a global model in its adoption of a primary health care approach to achieve UHC. Notably, the Kingdom has successfully integrated mental health services into its primary care framework, ensuring that patients can access psychological support as a routine part of their overall medical treatment. The WHO continues to provide technical and operational support to these efforts through the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which aims to expand access to quality care globally.
Throughout several of these engagements, Dr. Tedros was accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan. The couple participated in their capacity as founders of Archewell Philanthropies and as long-standing advocates for the WHO’s humanitarian mission. Archewell has been a consistent supporter of various WHO initiatives, ranging from the pursuit of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to the support of medical evacuation programs and the expansion of global mental health services. Prince Harry, who has long been a vocal ally of the WHO’s work on mental health, utilized his presence to emphasize the importance of community-based investment, particularly for men, young people, and children living in or recovering from emergency settings.
"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," Dr. Tedros noted. "Their collaboration is helping to advance the WHO’s mission to ensure health for all."
Prince Harry echoed these sentiments during the visit, stating, "It is an honor 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 the WHO’s efforts to support mental health and deliver life-saving care in emergencies." He added, "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 the WHO and partners around the world to make it a global priority."
The second day of the State visit is expected to be equally rigorous. Dr. Tedros is scheduled to visit the National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts, a facility supported by the WHO that provides integrated medical, psychological, and social services. Additionally, the Director-General will engage with community leaders and women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss the social determinants of health. The final portion of his itinerary includes a visit to the King Hussein Cancer Center, where he will examine advancements in cancer care and explore opportunities for further regional collaboration in oncology.
The visit will conclude with further engagements with key partners supporting humanitarian operations. These meetings are intended to reinforce Jordan’s indispensable role as a regional hub for medical evacuation, emergency response, and the overall resilience of health systems in the Middle East. By highlighting the Kingdom’s successes and ongoing challenges, the WHO aims to catalyze further international investment and political will to ensure that Jordan remains a beacon of healthcare stability in a region often defined by turbulence.
