Ma'an: Minister of Health Firas Hawari has inaugurated four new drug warehouses in Ma'an Governorate and the Shobak Comprehensive Health Center. This initiative is a part of Jordan's ongoing efforts to strengthen drug-related security and improve access to healthcare services.
According to Jordan News Agency, the project is funded by the European Union in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jordan. It is a crucial component of the Ministry's strategy to modernize drug supply chains and ensure equitable distribution of medicines nationwide.
During the inauguration ceremony, Minister Hawari emphasized the Ministry's commitment to ensuring sustainable access to essential medicines, which is vital for citizens' health and quality of life. He highlighted that these new warehouses complement recent achievements, such as the opening of the strategic medical stockpile warehouse in Zarqa and additional facilities in the northern region. Furthermore, construction for two more warehouses in Amman is currently underway.
The newly inaugurated warehouses are built to international standards, with a storage capacity of 1,800 cubic meters, expandable by 20 percent to manage emergencies. The facilities are equipped with cold rooms for refrigerated medicines, advanced air conditioning, security systems, fire safety equipment, and renewable energy solutions. A dedicated medical transport fleet will facilitate efficient distribution to hospitals and health centers across the south, as stated by the Ministry of Health.
WHO Representative in Jordan, Iman Shankiti, remarked that the project signifies Jordan's commitment to strengthening its health system and promoting equitable access to essential medicines, aligning with WHO standards. Similarly, EU Ambassador to Jordan, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, described the regional warehouse in Ma'an as a tangible result of the collaboration with Jordan and WHO to enhance healthcare access for both Jordanians and Syrian refugees.
The Shobak Comprehensive Health Center, constructed at a cost of JD1.65 million, will cater to approximately 20,000 residents in the Shobak District. It offers various services, including general and family medicine, dental care, maternity and child health, laboratory and radiology diagnostics, a fully stocked pharmacy, and a 24-hour emergency department staffed by trained medical teams. The center also supervises a network of health centers and sub-clinics in the surrounding areas, ensuring comprehensive primary healthcare for local communities.