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AMMAN — The government on Monday unveiled a new health insurance initiative that will provide cancer treatment coverage for 4.1 million Jordanians at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), starting 1 January 2026, under the "Reayah" (healthcare in English) programme.
The agreement was signed by the government and the KHCC in the presence of Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) and Centre (KHCC).
Hassan described the agreement as a significant step towards achieving comprehensive health coverage in Jordan, emphasising that it paves the way for potential expansion to encompass a wider demographic in the future.
He emphasised KHCC’s vital contribution to cancer care and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting the centre's efforts and ensuring the equitable and efficient provision of healthcare services.
Princess Ghida emphasised that the agreement marks the culmination of over two decades of efforts to secure fair and comprehensive cancer coverage for Jordanians. She praised the government’s decision as a significant achievement that will offer more than 4 million citizens access to equitable and effective cancer treatment across the Kingdom.
She also emphasised the centre’s commitment to delivering the highest standards of care, expanding services, unifying treatment protocols and enhancing cooperation with the Ministry of Health’s oncology units.
Approved by the Cabinet earlier that day, the agreement is part of Jordan’s broader plan to achieve universal health coverage, with provisions for future expansion of eligibility.
Under the agreement, KHCC coverage will be provided for Jordanians aged 60 and above, the age group identified as being most vulnerable to cancer, as well as for all children and young people up to the age of 19.
All National Aid Fund beneficiaries will also be covered, regardless of age, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The programme is expected to cost JD 132.5 million, with the government providing JD 124 million and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation contributing JD 8.5 million. The initiative will shift the system from a reliance on medical exemptions to a sustainable, inclusive insurance model, with electronic insurance cards to be issued via the "Sanad" platform.
Jordanians who are insured through military or civil service schemes outside of the specified age groups will continue to receive coverage through their respective institutions. They may be referred to KHCC for treatment within budget allocations and in accordance with established medical protocols.
The government will cover the cost of cancer treatment for uninsured patients aged 20 to 60 at public hospitals. Patients requiring treatments unavailable at these facilities may be referred to KHCC using Ministry of Health or medical exemption funds.
Patients who were already receiving treatment at KHCC through official referrals before 1 January 2026 will continue to be covered by the government until they recover. The government has estimated that this will cost JD 200 million.
According to officials, government spending on cancer care this year has reached almost JD 500 million, including JD 130 million in outstanding debts from previous governments and the ongoing treatment costs of current patients.
This decision is in line with the Economic Modernisation Vision, which prioritises improving citizens’ quality of life and ensuring the efficient delivery of healthcare services.
Those attending the signing ceremony included Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh; Minister of the Interior and Acting Minister of Health Mazen Farayah; Minister of State for Legal Affairs Fayad Qudah; and members of the KHCC Board of Trustees.