WHO session hears of health sector challenges, universal health coverage

AMMAN — Deputising for HRH Princess Muna, HRH Princess Aisha on Monday headed a session titled “Governing the Jordanian health sector towards universal health coverage”, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the session, attended by experts, the princess said that these meetings contribute to overcoming challenges facing the health sector in the Kingdom as well as transforming them into opportunities. 

Praising efforts exerted by the Jordanian health sector to face the coronavirus pandemic, she called for bolstering partnership among various health institutes.

Health Minister Feras Al Hawari referred to the outcomes of the meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday, where the King stressed the need to expedite the provision of comprehensive health insurance. 

Hawari said that the coronavirus pandemic revealed both the strengths and weaknesses in the health sector, stressing the need for sector governance. 

Director General of the Royal Medical Services (RMS) Brig. Gen. Yousef Zureikat said that health security is part of national security, praising the partnership among the health organisation to fight the coronavirus pandemic, advance the health system and face challenges. 

WHO Director of Programme Management at the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Rana Hajjeh noted that the WHO’s vision in the region is to materialise universal health coverage and health security, by focusing on and empowering the leading role of the Ministry of Health, and setting clear governance mechanisms in partnership with all relevant sectors. 

The experts participating in the session, moderated by Princess Muna’s adviser Ruwaida Maaitah, recommended studying the strengths and weaknesses of the Ministry of Health during the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Experts representing various Jordanian health sectors stressed that health sector governance is the best solution to meet the challenges of the sector, in order to reduce the heavy burden on the Ministry of Health. 

They also highlighted the importance of drawing clear policies for the sector, supporting the Ministry of Health to provide services and to reorganise financial protection, which helps guarantee access to comprehensive healthcare. 

The WHO stated that meetings conducted during the “Jordan Day” over a period of five days, seek to ensure a resilient health system capable of facing current and future challenges and to enhance the Ministry of Health’s supervisory role in coordinating various sectors in regard to policy-making, financing and providing health services.