Fakhoury briefs donor countries, organisations on health sector needs

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury has chaired a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of donor countries and organisations, a ministry statement said Saturday.

The meeting, attended by Health Minister Mahmoud Sheyyab, aimed to discuss means to improve the health sector and the quality of services provided to all social tranches in the Kingdom.

Ambassadors and representatives of donor countries and organisations were briefed on the costs borne by the Health Ministry to provide services to the Syrian refugees in Jordan.

The briefing was followed by a discussion on solutions that would enhance the services on the medium and long terms, said the statement.

Fakhoury expressed appreciation for the support of the donors to the sector, noting that the financial gap is still large and requires a comprehensive action plan that includes projects and reform programmes to lower the costs and improve the services.

He stressed the need for additional grants for the health sector through the Jordan Response Plan to the Syrian Refugee Crisis.

The minister proposed forming a team from the donor countries and organisations to develop a strategy that would lead to the transformation from emergency relief to a sustainable support that would preserve the stability of service provision.

For his part, Sheyyab outlined several challenges that face the health sector, especially the availability of medicine and vaccinations.  

The representatives stressed their support to the proposed action plan , highlighting the pivotal role of the Health Ministry.