King calls for promoting Jordan as medical tourism destination

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed the need to promote Jordan as a medical tourism destination to boost the economy.

Chairing a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace on the government’s plan for medical tourism, King Abdullah said all stakeholders must cooperate to facilitate the arrival of patients, while maintaining the highest standards of public health and safety to ensure the epidemiological situation in Jordan remains stable, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, His Majesty urged capitalising on Jordan’s success in controlling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Tourism Minister Majd Shweikeh outlined the medical tourism plan to receive Arab and foreign patients, and the measures in place to facilitate arrival and departure.

A website, administered by the Private Hospitals Association (PHA) in partnership with 14 hospitals, has been developed for those seeking treatment in Jordan to register on. Electronic visa and booking and payment services will be available through the website, while a hotline will be available for assistance, according to Shweikeh.

The plan also includes the measures that would be taken at hospitals, such as sanitation protocols and other preventive measures.

PHA Chairman Fawzi Hammouri said Jordan has the opportunity to capitalise on its success in containing COVID-19, which has bolstered the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for medical tourism.

Patients seeking treatment in Jordan will be required to submit proof they have tested negative for COVID-19 before coming to Jordan, Hammouri added, noting that private hospitals will be responsible for receiving patients at airports and border crossings, and admitting them for treatment within specially prepared and isolated wards.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kamal Al Nasser, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, Health Minister Saad Jaber, Transport Minister Khalid Saif, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, and COVID-19 Crisis Cell Operations Director Brig. Gen. Mazen Farraya attended the meeting.