Health minister opens 6 new warehouses, vaccination centre in Irbid

AMMAN — Health Minister Firas Hawari on Wednesday inaugurated six newly developed drug storage warehouses and a regional vaccination centre in Irbid, northern Jordan.

The facilities, funded by the European Union (EU) and developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Jordan, aim to enhance the Kingdom’s medical supply chain, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The opening ceremony was attended by EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhi, WHO Representative in Jordan Jamila Raabi, and several senior Ministry of Health officials.

Hawari said that the new warehouses and vaccination centre are part of broader efforts to modernise Jordan’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the efficient and equitable distribution of medicines and vaccines in line with the government’s Economic Modernisation Vision.

“This initiative follows the establishment of the Strategic Medical Stockpile warehouse in Yajouz, inaugurated by His Majesty King Abdullah last year. These new facilities will now support regional stores, hospitals, health directorates, and primary healthcare centres in the north,” Hawari said.

The expanded northern warehouses now have a total capacity of 2,650 cubic metres, featuring specialised shelving systems, a refrigerated storage unit of 75 cubic metres for temperature-sensitive medicines, and a fleet of refrigerated medical transport vehicles to ensure safe and efficient distribution.

The project, valued at JD850,000, is expected to enhance Jordan’s ability to manage medical supplies effectively.

Hawari expressed appreciation for the EU’s support and the WHO’s role in implementing the project, highlighting that these improvements will bolster Jordan’s response to health emergencies and align with international supply chain standards.

The regional vaccination centre, spanning 480 square metres, is equipped with two cold storage rooms with a combined capacity of 80 cubic metres, alongside additional storage space for dry goods and medical supplies totalling 160 cubic metres.

Built to international standards, the centre is designed to enhance vaccine safety, efficiency, and cost-effective distribution. The facility was developed at a cost of JD400,000.

Chatzisavas commended the project as a key milestone in Jordan’s progress towards universal health coverage, noting that the EU’s 43 million euro healthcare programme is instrumental in strengthening Jordan’s medical supply chain and benefiting both Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

Balkhi stressed that equitable access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines and vaccines is crucial for effective healthcare delivery. She noted that the infrastructure improvements align with WHO’s regional initiatives aimed at ensuring sustainable access to medical supplies.

Raabi said that these facilities are part of a larger EU-funded initiative that includes the construction or renovation of 14 warehouses across Jordan.

By the end of March, the project will establish a nationwide network of modern medical storage infrastructure, meeting international standards.