Health minister briefs Senate on epidemiological situation 

AMMAN — The Senate's Health, Environment and Population Committee, headed by Senator Yassin Husban, on Monday was acquainted with the latest developments on the Kingdom’s epidemiological situation.

During the committee’s meeting attended by Health Minister Nathir Obeidat and Wael Hayajneh, secretary general of the Health Ministry for epidemiological affairs, Senate President Faisal Al Fayez highlighted the importance of concerting the authorities’ efforts to contain the pandemic.

Presenting the Health Ministry’s anti-virus efforts, Obeidat said that one million of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine will arrive in the Kingdom in batches, noting that the first shots will be administered by the end of January or early February, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Kingdom has imported 235,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, out of which 180,000 have already been distributed, while 47,000 will be handed out to the private sector, he said, adding that the private sector had previously received 20,000 doses and the total amount is approaching some 300,000 shots.

The minister said that vaccination will cover more than 20 per cent of the Kingdom’s population, some 2.2 million people, confirming the availability of refrigerators required for storing the vaccine at minus 80 degrees Celsius.

He noted that freezers will be distributed, within few weeks, to 20 healthcare centres accredited for vaccination across the Kingdom. Government public insurance covers COVID-19 patients, he added.

The minister said that field hospitals will increase the health systems’ capability by 1,000 beds, including 120 ICU beds.

On the challenges facing the health sector, notably the shortage of specialists, Obeidat noted that about 2,200 additional healthcare workers were appointed. He also highlighted the measures taken to attract the maximum possible number of medical staff to join the ministry’s hospitals.