Staff shortage, lack of unified information system pose major challenge to health sector — Bilbeisi

AMMAN — The Economic and Social Council on Tuesday addressed the Kingdom’s health sector's status in the annual Country Status Report, as part of a discussion series that brings together public and private sector experts.

Secretary General of the Council Mitri Mdanat highlighted the health sector's challenges, notably “weak governance and poor management”, the lack of coordination among numerous government entities that run health services, as well as the “weak monitoring of the private health sector”.

However, Mdanat also pointed to the health sector’s consistency in facing the pandemic, and ability to ride out the first and second waves by conducting tests, providing vaccinations quickly, and establishing field hospitals, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Adel Bilbeisi, Prime Ministry adviser for epidemiological affairs and the official in charge of the COVID-19 crisis, highlighted the two key challenges facing the sector: the shortage of staff and the lack of a unified system of information. 

Participants in the session attributed the problem to a shortcoming in the civil service system, urged a decentralised appointment of health staff, a greater emphasis on digitalisation, and recommended developing a scholarship programme for Jordanian doctors to study abroad.

Moreover, participants stressed the importance of cooperation between universities and civil medical services within the public sector, activating strategies and following up and evaluating them, conducting research, and increasing hospital general managers’ roles.

Head of the Private Hospitals Association Fawzi Hamouri said that the fight against the pandemic has increased the level of partnership between the public and private sectors, including the provision of PCR testing, immunisation and treatment services.