Amman: The Ministry of Health on Thursday launched the National Health Accounts for 2020-2022, a review of government spending on the COVID-19 pandemic, and a health financing progress matrix, which were carried out in cooperation with the Jordan Center for Disease Control (JCDC).
According to Jordan News Agency, Health Minister Firas Hawari, speaking at the launch ceremony, emphasized that the data-driven reports form the foundation of the 2024-2030 roadmap for reforming the health financing system and achieving universal health coverage. He noted that Jordan has maintained a 15-year commitment to issuing National Health Accounts in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other partners, adhering to global standards for measuring health financing.
The 2022 report revealed that Jordan's total current health expenditure reached approximately JD2.67 billion, equivalent to 7.7 percent of GDP. This figure exceeds the global average (6.7 percent), the average in upper-middle-income countries (7.6 percent), and the Arab region average (6 percent).
The Minister explained that 30 percent of health spending was allocated to pharmaceuticals, while 40 percent went to primary healthcare services, indicating a growing focus on preventive and community-based care. Government spending on COVID-19 during the three-year period totaled JD597 million.
Hawari added that sound financial policies helped reduce the burden of direct out-of-pocket health spending, which was held under 36 percent between 2016 and 2022. He attributed this success to increased government investment in the sector, especially during the pandemic, including the provision of free treatment and preventive services.
He highlighted the launch of the Health Financing and Universal Health Coverage Reform Plan (2024-2030), which includes the creation of a new insurance fund for uninsured individuals and the gradual expansion of coverage starting with a package of primary and preventive services aimed at reducing disease burden and costs.
To institutionalize this progress, the Ministry is working with the WHO to build the capacity of the Health Economics Department, ensuring sustainability and expanding analysis to include disease-specific spending. Hawari emphasized the importance of regularly updating health accounts to support planning, performance evaluation, and service quality improvement.
Adel Balbisi, Director of the JCDC, reviewed Jordan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, covering infection trends, mortality rates, vaccine rollout, and preventive measures across the country's five pandemic waves.
Health economics expert Major Imad Momani provided an analysis of the pandemic's financial impact, while Dr. Kawthar Ibdah presented detailed findings from the National Health Accounts. Dr. Youssef Zawaneh outlined the health financing progress matrix and its recommendations, and Dr. Anas Muhtaseb summarized key components of the reform plan based on these findings.