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, a diplomatic mission designed to underscore the robust and enduring partnership between the global health body and the Jordanian government. The visit places a distinct emphasis on critical areas of mutual focus, including the advancement of universal health coverage, the integration and expansion of mental health services, and sustained humanitarian health action in a region profoundly impacted by prolonged conflict and displacement.
A central moment of the visit unfolded earlier today with an official meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. This high-level dialogue underscored the critical importance of the State visit and recognized Jordan’s steadfast leadership in advancing health as both a domestic national priority and a vital global concern. Discussions between the WHO chief and the Jordanian monarch centered on bolstering resilience within health systems, expanding equitable access to essential care, and sustaining international and regional support for emergency response efforts. Particular attention was devoted to the plight of the Palestinian people, specifically patients medically evacuated from Gaza into Jordan for specialized treatment, alongside the millions of refugees generously hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom over successive decades.
Expressing deep gratitude during the engagements, Dr Tedros lauded the leadership demonstrated by the Jordanian crown. "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."
The WHO chief further emphasized the broader geopolitical and humanitarian significance of the nation’s actions, noting that Jordan continues to serve as an exemplary model for the international community. "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.
Reflecting the multifaceted agenda of the visit, Dr Tedros spent a portion of the day touring a WHO-supported hospital that provides advanced, specialized care to children evacuated directly from the conflict in Gaza. During the hospital visit, he engaged directly with young patients, their families, and the dedicated frontline health workers who are tirelessly delivering life-saving treatments for severe injuries, pediatric cancer, and other complex, life-threatening conditions. This field visit brought into sharp focus the irreplaceable value of the medical evacuation corridor operating through Jordan, while simultaneously emphasizing the ongoing need for robust, sustained international financial and logistical support to ensure that vulnerable children and other critical patients retain uninterrupted access to essential medical interventions.
In addition to his clinical visits and royal audience, the Director-General convened a strategic high-level meeting with key health partners, donor countries, United Nations agencies, and prominent philanthropic organizations. The primary objective of this roundtable was to evaluate and coordinate financing priorities aimed at strengthening health system architecture within Jordan. Conversations also addressed ongoing humanitarian health operations, focusing on scaling up comprehensive mental health services and securing enduring support for nations that continue to host large refugee populations under immense socioeconomic pressure. Dr Tedros welcomed the strong collaboration and demonstrated commitment of these international partners, praising their willingness to continue investing in the health infrastructure of Jordan and the broader Middle East region.
Continuing his official engagements, Dr Tedros held focused bilateral discussions with the Minister of Health. These talks concentrated on practical strategies to fortify Jordan’s domestic health system and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Officials noted that Jordan has consistently demonstrated global leadership by championing a primary health care approach to achieve universal coverage, a strategy that notably includes the successful integration of mental health into routine care systems. This ensures that citizens and residents alike can access psychological support services seamlessly as an intrinsic component of primary health care. The World Health Organization continues to provide vital technical and strategic support to this ongoing work, operating in alignment with the Director-General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health.
Adding a prominent collaborative dimension to the diplomatic mission, 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 mission. Over the years, Archewell has lent vital backing to a diverse range of WHO initiatives, spanning equitable access to critical medical countermeasures such as COVID-19 vaccines, as well as complex medical evacuation protocols and foundational mental health programs. Throughout the visit, Prince Harry participated actively as a vocal ally of WHO’s global mental health advocacy, emphasizing the urgent necessity of investing in psychological well-being across diverse communities and emergency settings, with a dedicated focus on the unique vulnerabilities faced by men, young people, and children.
Acknowledging this valued partnership, Dr Tedros remarked, "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 joint 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," Prince Harry stated. "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 intensive two-day State visit enters its final phase, Dr Tedros’s itinerary includes several high-profile site visits designed to showcase specialized facets of Jordan’s health and social welfare infrastructure. On the second day, the WHO Director-General is scheduled to visit Jordan’s National Center for Rehabilitation of Addicts. The center receives vital support from the WHO and delivers comprehensive, integrated medical, psychological, and social support services to individuals in recovery.
Furthermore, Dr Tedros will meet with prominent community leaders and local women’s groups, including representatives from the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, to discuss grassroots community resilience and empowerment. His itinerary also features a scheduled visit to the renowned King Hussein Cancer Center, where discussions will center on recent medical advancements in comprehensive cancer care and the enhancement of regional medical collaboration.
The high-level State visit is set to conclude with a series of final engagements involving international partners dedicated to sustaining regional humanitarian operations. These concluding meetings will further reinforce Jordan’s indispensable position as a premier regional hub for medical evacuations, emergency health responses, and the long-term resilience of health systems throughout the Middle East.
