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Too heavy a cost

Mar 25,2017 - Last updated at Mar 25,2017

The cost of medical care provided to Syrian refugees by government hospitals and clinics reaches JD271 annually, putting a burden on the already stretched public health sector.

According to a Ministry of Health official, treating Syrians has cost the Kingdom over JD1.5 billion since the beginning of the crisis in this Arab country and until the end of last year.

This is no small amount for any country, much less for one the size of Jordan, which, moreover, is facing other hardships due to the regional turmoil.

Jordan has been providing needed medical services — including preventive, awareness and health services — to the some 1.3 million Syrian refugees on par with the care accorded to Jordanians.

According to ministry reports, about 1.8 million Syrians visited or were admitted to hospitals, or had surgeries, starting with the beginning of 2012, the onset of the crisis, and until last year.

That is a huge number that raises the question of sustainability. 

How long can Jordan continue to pick up the tab for the treatment of such huge numbers of refugees on its own?

Yes, some nations did give support to Jordan for the general upkeep of refugees, but for the most part, countries remain sympathetic rhetorically, but practically invisible when it comes to offering real material support.

The World Health Organisation could spearhead the call for an immediate international intervention and mobilise world opinion to the plight of Syrian refugees and of the host countries.

The World Bank could also join forces with other international agencies for this purpose, while the International Monetary Fund should take into serious consideration the heavy financial burden on Jordan when it prescribes its policy guidelines for the Kingdom.

As is, left without help, Jordan will not be able to continue to carry the heavy load on its shoulders.

Also invited to participate in the international effort to aid and support Jordan in this endeavour are Arab countries.

The Arab summit, scheduled to convene at the end of this month in the Kingdom, could be just the right venue for discussing this pressing issue and coming up with helpful solutions.

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