King calls for expanding local production of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies

AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday urged the public and private sectors to expand the local production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for domestic consumption and for exporting purposes.

During a visit to the Royal Medical Services’ (RMS) storage facilities, King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, stressed the importance of cooperation between the private and public sectors, including the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, to enhance the level and quality of production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

His Majesty expressed pride in the advanced level of the local pharmaceutical industry, stressing the need to rely on Jordanian pharmaceutical products rather than imported ones, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King urged coordination between the Ministry of Health and the RMS to supply hospitals in Jordan’s southern and northern regions with their needs during the current extraordinary circumstances.

His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of continuing to provide the medical equipment and supplies needed to conduct coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing to safeguard public health and wellbeing.

The King also checked on the strategic reserves of medical supplies and equipment at the RMS and the Health Ministry.

His Majesty, accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, commended the level of readiness at the storage facilities and the availability of medical supplies in the Kingdom, according to the statement.

The King was also shown an ambulance that was locally modified to transport 12 cases in times of emergency.

His Majesty was briefed by Health Minister Saad Jaber on efforts by the ministry and the RMS, as well as university hospitals, to work as one team to safeguard citizens’ health.

The minister said that the reserves of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals are sufficient for several months.

RMS Director Brig. Gen. Adel Wahadneh said that the strategic reserves of all medical supplies are safe to sustain the work of RMS hospitals, noting that all components of the Kingdom’s health sector are working in tandem, the statement concluded.