Sudanese patients over 50 to be allowed to receive visas on border crossings

AMMAN — Interior Minister Ghaleb Zu’bi on Saturday, decided to allow Sudanese nationals over 50 years old who are coming to the Kingdom for treatment to bring a maximum of two accompanying people, and allowed them to receive visas on border crossings.

The decision, which came after directives by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, stipulates that Sudanese patients be over 50 years old and have at least $5,000 to be allowed entry to the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Other Sudanese patients, who are under the age of 50 and are seeking treatment in Jordan must apply for visas at the Jordanian Embassy in Khartoum with a letter from the Sudanese government, proving that the visa is for medical purposes.

Zu’bi said the decision is part of government measures to boost medical tourism, especially given the sector’s key role in the national economy.

He added that the move also aims to facilitate procedures for Sudanese nationals to receive medical services in the Kingdom.

The government is “steadily addressing challenges  facing the medical and other vital sectors that contribute to stimulating economic and investment activities in Jordan”, the minister noted.

Jordan has become an “attractive destination for medical tourism” for many reasons, such as developed infrastructure at hospitals and medical centres, qualified human resources, security and stability, Zu’bi added.

During a meeting with the interior minister earlier this month, Private Hospitals Association President Fawzi Hammouri said that restricting some Arab nationalities from entering the Kingdom for treatment in the past two years resulted in a decline in numbers.

He noted that the number of Libyan patients dropped by 80 per cent, Yemenis by 50 per cent and Sudanese by 48 per cent.

Hammouri on Sunday commended the latest decision and described it as a positive step that would further enhance Jordanian-Sudanese relations, while boosting medical cooperation, Petra reported.

He expressed hope that similar decisions will be taken to allow more nationalities to come to Jordan for treatment.