Amman: The Ministry of Health held the closing ceremony of the "Care" project under the patronage of Minister of Health Firas Hawari and in the presence of European Union Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas and Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas. The four-year initiative, funded by the European Union, aimed to enhance healthcare services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees.
According to Jordan News Agency, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care and Epidemiology Raed Shboul highlighted the project's role in strengthening Jordan's healthcare system, benefiting communities in Mafraq, Ajloun, Tafilah, and, more recently, Irbid. Shboul praised the initiative for improving healthcare quality and ensuring service sustainability, with funding provided by the European Union through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and the Health, Childhood, and Social Care Foundation of the Spanish Ministry of Health.
Chatzisavas reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to supporting Jordan's healthcare sector, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in addressing public health challenges. Similarly, the Spanish ambassador commended the Ministry of Health's leadership in implementing the project, which has improved access to essential health services for both Jordanians and refugees.
With a budget of pound 22 million from the European Union's Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (Madad), the project rehabilitated 38 healthcare centers, established the al-Qadisiyah Comprehensive Health Center in Tafilah, and equipped health facilities in Mafraq, Tafilah, and Ajloun with modern medical equipment and furniture. It also expanded the electronic medical record system to over 40 centers, enhancing patient data management and early disease detection.
Additionally, the project provided training for over 5,000 Ministry of Health staff and introduced measures to ensure long-term sustainability through modern infrastructure, improved medical protocols, and enhanced healthcare provider capabilities. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local organizations such as the Jordan Breast Cancer Program, the Royal Health Awareness Society, the Institute for Family Health, and the Khatwatna Association, the "Care" project strengthened Jordan's capacity to manage the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.