Amman, Nov. 10 (Petra) -- Minister of Health Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bdour on Monday inaugurated the Amman Forum on Health Financing, a high-level event organized by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Global Fund.
The forum focuses on advancing universal health coverage (UHC) by strengthening primary health care systems and fostering regional collaboration to promote sustainable and innovative health financing solutions.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al-Bdour said that under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan views the health sector as a strategic priority and a cornerstone of national development. He emphasized that improving healthcare quality, expanding coverage, and ensuring financial protection for citizens are key elements of Jordan’s health agenda, guided by the National Health Strategy and supported by initiatives in digital transformation, governance reform, and unified procurement systems.
The minister noted that while Jordan’s health sector has achieved significant milestones, challenges persist particularly in maintaining financial sustainability and strengthening protection for vulnerable families. He called for greater efficiency and transparency, linking financing to performance outcomes, and using modern technology and data-driven insights to support effective health decision-making.
Al-Bdour reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with national and international partners to exchange expertise and adopt best practices aimed at building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable health system.
The WHO Representative in Jordan, Dr. Iman Al-Shanqeeti, commended Jordan’s leadership in organizing the forum, describing it as a key step toward translating dialogue into action.
"Jordan’s leadership in convening this event reflects a strong national commitment to ensuring health financing reforms are sustainable and centered on people’s needs," she said. "The WHO is proud to support this joint effort to strengthen primary health care and ensure no one is left behind." The Amman Forum on Health Financing gathers policymakers and experts from Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon, alongside development partners and technical specialists, to share evidence-based experiences and foster innovation in health financing. The forum aims to help reshape financing systems in Jordan and across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Taking place at a pivotal moment, the event aligns with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision and its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Kingdom has embarked on an ambitious reform agenda that includes reorienting health systems toward primary care, adopting output-based payment models, integrating digital health platforms, and developing strategic purchasing mechanisms across public and private sectors.
Combining high-level policy discussions with specialized technical sessions, the forum addresses key challenges facing Jordan’s health system, including decentralized governance and new financing mechanisms.
By leveraging global best practices and encouraging strategic dialogue, the Amman Forum sets the stage for evidence-based policy decisions that will guide Jordan’s next phase of health reform and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
//Petra// RZ
