Mafraq, August 4 (Petra) – The Jordan Centre for Disease Control (JCDC) conducted a comprehensive field exercise on Monday to simulate a health emergency response at the Jaber Border Crossing.
The exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and with technical support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), was attended by Minister of Interior Mazen Faraya, the Head of the JCDC, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, the Governor of Mafraq, the Director of the Residency and Borders Department and several other officials.
This initiative aims to strengthen national preparedness for health emergencies, particularly at border points which serve as critical first lines of defense against contagious and infectious diseases.
Faraya monitored all phases, emphasising the importance of realism in simulation scenarios, practical capacity utilisation and avoiding hypothetical assumptions that do not reflect actual conditions.
He underscored that the objectives of such exercises can only be achieved through accurate simulation of real-world challenges.
Faraya highlighted the importance of learning lessons from the exercise to bolster strengths, identify weaknesses and implement improvements through coordinated efforts among relevant stakeholders, in partnership with the JCDC.
He stressed that the exercise serves as a vital test of the capabilities and readiness of various agencies, which should inform the development of action plans based on the outcomes.
The Minister commended the JCDC for its role in preparing the public health emergency response plan and for organising this first practical exercise at border crossings under that plan.
He called for continuous support and data sharing among entities to enhance response effectiveness.
Faraya inspected the readiness of all relevant agencies at Jaber Border Crossing, including the border health centre and emergency preparedness plans.
He emphasised the need for ongoing coordination and resource allocation to ensure swift and effective responses to health crises.
JCDC Director Adel Balbisi explained that the exercise aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the national health emergency plan at border crossings, improve coordination between health, security and veterinary sectors and simulate responses to suspected cases of common epidemic diseases affecting both humans and animals.
The exercise seeks to enhance human and technical preparedness, integrate public health and veterinary efforts, and strengthen border capacity to contain diseases and minimise transmission risks.
Director of the Centre’s Preparedness and Response Directorate, detailed the scenario: a traveler arriving from an epidemic-affected country is suspected of infection during routine screening.
The response involves initial examination, case isolation, activation of the national reporting system, and safe transfer to an approved hospital.
The exercise tested disinfection protocols and coordination with veterinary authorities to investigate potential animal sources of infection.
The exercise concluded with a comprehensive report highlighting strengths, gaps and recommendations, including updates to the border health emergency plan, improved integration of health and veterinary reporting systems and the development of ongoing training programmes for personnel stationed at border crossings.
Additional suggestions included periodic repetition of such exercises at other border points, equipping crossing facilities with additional personal protective equipment and conducting border-specific health risk assessments.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, the Jordan Customs Department, the Jaber Border Crossing Administration and specialised field teams.
//Petra// AK
04/08/2025 19:26:39
