Jordan makes notable progress on Global Health Security Index

AMMAN — Jordan ranks 66th globally and third in the Arab world on the Global Health Security Index (GHS), marking an increase of 1.6 points in comparison with last year’s ranking. 

Launched in 2019, the GHS is based on the extensive knowledge and existing understanding of what factors influence country preparedness to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats, according to its website.

This year’s report, titled “Advancing Collective Action and Accountability Amid Global Crisis”, evaluated 195 participating countries, setting six main categories for the evaluation, which includes 36 indicators. 

Jordan scored 42.8 overall out of 100, which is considered above the average. The average overall score is 38.9. 

“Despite significant steps taken by countries to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries remain dangerously unprepared to meet future epidemic and pandemic threats,” according to the index.

Countries continue to suffer harm from the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of insufficient health security capacity, the report observed.

The highest scores went to countries with the most extensive capacities to prevent and respond to epidemics and pandemics, according to the GHS.

Globally, the US ranked first, followed by Australia Finland, Canada and Thailand, respectively. 

In the Arab world, Qatar topped the ranking, followed by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE and Oman, respectively. 

As for prevention, Jordan scored the highest globally in immunisation, notching 100 points, along with an outstanding score of 66.7 in antimicrobial resilience.

In detection and reporting category, the Jordanian epidemiological workforce scored 75 along with high scores in case-based investigation, 25 points, and laboratory supply chain, 50 points.

This year the average score for case-based investigation globally is 16, according to the index.

The Kingdom marked a rapid response to the pandemic, specially in emergency preparedness and response planning, along with very good access to communication infrastructure and risk communication. 

Jordan scored 100 in infection control practices, 47.1 in the health system category and 50 in medical counter measures and personnel development.

Jordan’s performance on linking public health and security authorities needs improvement, as well as, financing and communication with healthcare workers during a public health emergency, the report said.