Cabinet approves national policy for healthcare quality, patient safety

- Birth, death monitoring bylaw approved to improve national mortality data

- Jordan atomic energy commission to streamline operations under new bylaw

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday, in a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved the National Policy and Strategy for Quality and Patient Safety for 2025 to 2030.  

The comprehensive policy framework aims to elevate healthcare standards across the Kingdom by ensuring safe, effective and high-quality care for all citizens.

The initiative is designed to improve health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction and strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system to address both current and future challenges, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

The strategy outlines a clear vision for healthcare excellence, emphasising quality, safety and best practices and encourages a unified approach to healthcare quality. 

It also ensures that all residents, regardless of their healthcare provider, will receive adequate care in alignment with international best practices and the objectives outlined in the Economic Modernisation Vision. 

The policy was developed through a cooperative effort between the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the National Steering Committee, which included key representatives from various healthcare sectors across the Kingdom.

The Cabinet also approved the validation of the 2025 Birth and Death Monitoring and Response Bylaw, which aims to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of birth and death data collection, requiring that any birth or death be reported within 24 hours. 

This will provide accurate mortality indicators such as general mortality rates, maternal and neonatal deaths and child mortality, based on internationally recognised methodologies.

The Bylaw will also support the identification of causes of death, enabling the development of targeted response plans to reduce mortality rates and accelerate early preventive and therapeutic care for newborns. 

The Ministry of Health will also establish four national registries under the bylaw: the National Birth and Death Registry, the National Maternal Mortality Registry, the National Fetal and Neonatal Mortality Registry and a registry for specific age groups or health conditions as determined by the Minister of Health.

As part of the ongoing public sector modernisation efforts, the Cabinet also approved an amended bylaw for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025. 

The revised bylaw seeks to strengthen the Authority's oversight role, improve governance in decision-making, simplify procedures, enhance executive management efficiency and streamline the organisational structure, aiming to prevent overlap and duplication of responsibilities, thereby boosting performance in line with the modernisation of the public sector.

The Cabinet also endorsed an amended bylaw for the administrative organisation of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission for 2025 to improve the Commission’s organisational structure and enable it to better fulfil its duties as mandated by relevant legislation. 

Key changes include the establishment of a data management and communication unit and the reduction of departmental structures to enhance efficiency and oversight in task execution.

The Cabinet also approved recommendations from the Settlement and Conciliation Committee between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, resolving 299 cases involving individuals and companies. 

The decision is aimed at stimulating economic activity, improving the business environment, and assisting taxpayers in regularising their tax status.