Ma’an, July 1 (Petra) – Minister of Health Firas Hawari on Tuesday inaugurated four new drug warehouses in Ma’an Governorate and the Shobak Comprehensive Health Center, marking a “significant” step in Jordan’s efforts to strengthen drug-related security and improve access to “quality” healthcare services.

The project, funded by the European Union in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jordan, is part of the Ministry’s strategy to modernize drug supply chains and ensure “equitable” distribution nationwide.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hawari said the Ministry is “advancing steadily” to ensuring sustainable access to essential medicines, contributing to citizens’ health and quality of life.

Hawari noted that the new warehouses complement recent achievements, mainly the opening of the strategic medical stockpile warehouse in Zarqa and additional facilities in the northern region, adding that construction of two more warehouses in Amman is underway.

Equipped to the highest international standards, the new warehouses feature a storage capacity of 1,800 cubic meters, expandable by 20 percent to handle emergencies.

The facilities provide cold rooms for refrigerated medicines, advanced air conditioning, security systems, fire safety equipment, and renewable energy solutions. A dedicated medical transport fleet will ensure efficient distribution to hospitals and health centers across the south, Ministry of Health said in a statement.

In turn, WHO Representative in Jordan Iman Shankiti stated the project demonstrates Jordan’s “commitment” to strengthening its health system and promoting equitable access to essential medicines, in line with WHO standards.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas described the regional warehouse in Ma’an as a “tangible” outcome of collaboration with Jordan and the WHO to enhance healthcare access for both Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

The Shobak Comprehensive Health Center, built at a cost of JD1.65 million, will serve around 20,000 residents in Shobak District and offers a “wide” range of services, including general and family medicine, dental care, maternity and child health, laboratory and radiology diagnostics, a fully stocked pharmacy, and a 24-hour emergency department staffed by trained medical teams.

The facility also supervises a network of health centers and sub-clinics in surrounding areas, ensuring comprehensive primary healthcare for local communities.

//Petra// AO
01/07/2025 14:50:22