Gov't committed to collaboration with Lower House — PM

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Wednesday stressed the government's commitment to maintaining its cooperation and coordination with the Lower House on national issues. 

During a meeting at the Cabinet with the House-based Mubadara bloc, the two sides discussed the bloc's recommendations regarding several issues. 

Mubadara overall coordinator MP Mustafa Hamarneh highlighted the bloc's proposals on developing public transport through allocating JD1 billion over five years to develop the sector.

He also highlighted other proposals on developing the Institute of Public Administration, dealing with public universities' debts, and addressing the problem of bureaucracy in relation to benefits granted to children of Jordanian women married to foreigners. 

The premier expressed the government's desire to cooperate with the bloc.

Also on Wednesday, the Lower House Health Committee convened to discuss several issues related to the Health Ministry and health insurance.

At a meeting attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Health Minister Ali Hiasat, House Speaker Atef Tarawneh highlighted the large burdens borne by public hospitals as they extend medical services for more than 60 per cent of Jordanians. 

Discussions addressed the problem of specialised doctors moving to other countries, pointing out that the government should take steps to keep specialised surgeons in particular. 

Ensour said the government is working to prevent the brain drain of specialised doctors and is open to all suggestions on attracting doctors from the private sector. 

During the past two years, the Health Ministry appointed 1,700 doctors, and more will be appointed this year, Hiasat said at the meeting. 

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Khaled Kalaldeh, committee members and former ministers of health were also present at the meeting.