Razzaz lays cornerstone for Maan Military Hospital

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Wednesday laid the cornerstone of the new Maan Military Hospital, which will be implemented under a Royal Makruma at a total cost of JD35 million and with a capacity of 150 beds.

The prime minister unveiled the memorial plaque of the project, marking the start of its implementation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The cornerstone-laying ceremony was also attended by Royal Hashemite Court Chief and head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives Yousef Issawi, Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, Minister of Health Mahmoud Sheyyab, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, MPs and senators of Maan Governorate, Royal Medical Services (RMS) Director Maj. Gen. Muin Habashneh, chairman and members of the decentralisation council, leaders and dignitaries of the governorate, and  a number of other officials.

In remarks during the ceremony, the prime minister said that the establishment of the hospital comes in fulfilment of pledges made by His Majesty King Abdullah to the citizens of Maan, adding that the project will contribute to raising the quality of health services provided to citizens and alleviating their suffering.

Razzaz also said that providing services to citizens in various fields is a duty of the government, which has a duty to distribute these services fairly and alleviate the burden on the low- and middle-income groups.

The prime minister pointed out that the government pledged in its policy statement to raise the level of basic services in the sectors of education, health, transport and water, and to provide a clear plan, including a specific timetable, to improve these services.

"We re-affirm our commitment to this pledge and moving ahead with the launching of service projects in these areas, in accordance with national capabilities and priorities, and in accordance with their necessity to ensure their fair and equitable distribution", Razzaz said.

He stressed that the hospital will not be the only project implemented in Maan, adding that the Cabinet approved the Maan land port, which will be one of the most important developmental projects in the governorate, and during which Maan will be connected to all commercial routes and will have a developmental impact in providing job opportunities.

Razzaz said that the 150-bed hospital will require creating 600 job opportunities to ensure better services to citizens.

In response to comments made by head of the decentralisation council in Maan Governorate, the prime minister said that when His Majesty ordered the implementation of the decentralisation project, he wanted tangible results and real local development and decentralisation that reflect the priorities of the local community at the governorate level as a whole.

Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi said the ministry is working in coordination with the Royal Court to carry out Royal initiatives that cover multiple sectors including health, education, sports, youth, women and children, people with special needs and the poor, through the rehabilitaion of housing units, and the establishment of developmental centres, schools and recreational facilities.