Japan, UNOPS sign agreement supporting Royal Medical Services in Jordan

AMMAN — Japan and UNOPS on Monday signed a new agreement to enhance the operational capacity of the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and strengthen the health response system in Jordan. 

With the $ 1.7 million funding from Japan, the project will further enhance the RMS operational capacity in the provision of critical/urgent health services through procurement of medical equipment for RMS health facilities across Jordan, according to a statement from the Japanese embassy.

The project intends to support the government of Jordan to meet increased demand for health services while continuing to strengthen the resilience and quality of services provided for Jordanians and Syrian refugees in the country. 

Japan’s Ambassador to Jordan Okuyama Jiro said: “Responding to immediate humanitarian needs and providing assistance for social stabilisation are the top priorities for Japan’s development cooperation policy in Jordan. Given Jordan’s growing population and the influx of refugees, the health system is overburdened making it challenging to provide both Jordanians and Syrian refugees with quality health care services. We hope that our assistance will ease the burden of Jordan in offering essential services to vulnerable people.”

Brigadier General Yousef Zureikat, the director of RMS, said: “The new, generous support provided to the RMS by the Government of Japan and UNOPS will give RMS facilities more momentum in their ardent efforts to continually improve the quality of medical care to those who need it most when they need it most. And this replacement of outdated equipment within the Government of Japan and the UNOPS project for the year 2023 will enhance the Royal Medical Services’ capacity to cover the continuously increased workload.”

Muhammad Usman Akram, representative and director of UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman, said: “This is a great opportunity to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Japan and the Royal Medical Services. This project complements the earlier interventions that have enhanced RMS’ capacity to respond to increased demand for health services. The support from the government and people of Japan will further enable the RMS in providing quality healthcare services to vulnerable populations across Jordan.” 

The project intends to contribute to SDG 3: Good health and well-being, the statement said.