48 healthcare centres recognised for meeting int’l standards

AMMAN — A total of 76 healthcare centres in Jordan have received accreditation from the Health Care Accreditation Council for meeting the highest international standards in four years through the USAID-funded Health Systems Strengthening II (HSS II) project, organisers said Monday. 

At a ceremony attended by HRH Princess Muna, Health Minister Ali Hiasat and USAID Mission Director Beth S. Paige, the latest 48 centres to be accredited were honoured. 

The HSS II project is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to prepare 120 health centres for accreditation using its “Quality Improvement Collaborative approach”, according to a USAID statement.

“The approach combines classroom training, facility and healthcare monitoring, and sharing of best practices.” 

Utilising this approach, experts from the ministry and HSS II provide monthly reviews to “overcome challenges and support efforts by health directorates and healthcare centres to reach international standards”. 

Twenty-eight primary healthcare centres were accredited in December 2012 through the project, while another 30 centres will be surveyed in September. 

“Having 76 health centres accredited during this short period is a remarkable achievement,” the statement quoted Hiasat as saying at the ceremony.

“The ministry will continue using this approach to improve health centres throughout the Kingdom,” he added.

Paige commended the collaboration between HSS II and the ministry for “their ability to raise service standards and help these healthcare facilities to achieve accreditation, improving the quality of healthcare in Jordan”.