Health Ministry concludes EU-funded project to boost immunisation

AMMAN — The Ministry of Health on Thursday concluded the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, known as "Madad," a five-year project supported by the EU.

During the closing ceremony, the project’s significant achievements were highlighted, underscoring its vital role in strengthening Jordan's healthcare system, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Health Minister Firas Hawari, who presided over the event, highlighted the project’s impact on improving the Kingdom’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to high-quality medical services for all residents, including both Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

In the presence of government representatives, health sector officials, civil society organisations, and international agencies operating in Jordan, Hawari noted that the project played a crucial role in expanding national immunization programs.

He highlighted the distribution of millions of vaccine doses to children, the establishment of a modern regional vaccine warehouse in Irbid, and the upgrading of storage capacities at the national vaccine warehouse, enhancing Jordan’s ability to introduce new vaccines in the future.

Additionally, the project trained and qualified more than 2,000 healthcare providers and facilitated the transition to a strategic vaccine procurement system in cooperation with the Government Procurement Department and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, helping secure high-quality vaccines at optimal prices.

Hawari also stressed that the project had significantly strengthened the resilience of Jordan’s healthcare system in responding to emergencies and crises, particularly in supporting the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also pointed to the project’s contribution to enhancing national pharmaceutical security through the establishment of a strategic medical warehouse in Yajouz, Zarqa Governorate, ensuring an emergency stockpile sufficient for an additional four months.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas highlighted the project's considerable success and lasting impact, particularly in expanding immunisation coverage across the Kingdom, including underserved areas and communities hosting Syrian refugees.

He also noted that the project improved the medical supply chain by rehabilitating 10 regional warehouses and constructing four new facilities to store medicines and vaccines, a key step towards Jordan’s goal of achieving universal health coverage.

With a total budget of 43 million euros, the project successfully met its objectives of strengthening primary healthcare, improving vaccine access for Syrian refugees and host communities, and enhancing healthcare quality within an integrated governance system.

Among its key achievements were the establishment of a regional vaccination centre in Irbid, the installation of solar power at the national vaccine warehouse, and the purchase of four cold rooms and 380 vaccine refrigerators, enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the national immunisation programme.