Secretary-General Tedros discusses strengthening health cooperation with Jordan

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus paid a state visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and discussed cooperation in the areas of universal health coverage (UHC), mental health, and humanitarian health activities.

The highlight of the visit was a meeting with King Abdullah II. The two sides focused on strengthening health systems, expanding access to medical care, and continuing emergency response support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and refugees in Jordan.

Secretary-General Tedros said, “We are grateful to King Abdullah II for his efforts to promote universal health coverage, and we also express our gratitude to the people of Jordan for their solidarity and generosity in providing health services to more than 3 million refugees from Gaza and Syria.”

Visit to child patient treatment site in Gaza

The Secretary-General visited a hospital supported by WHO and met with child patients who had fled from the Gaza Strip, their families, and on-site medical staff. At this hospital, life-saving treatment is provided to patients with serious illnesses such as injuries and cancer.

“Jordan is providing essential care to sick and injured children in Gaza through the King’s ‘Health Corridor’ initiative,” said Secretary-General Tedros. “Jordan is showing the world what it means to put health and humanity first.”

Prince Harry and his wife join mental health support activities

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accompanied the couple on this visit as founders of the Archwell Charitable Foundation. Archwell Foundation has supported a variety of WHO initiatives, from equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to medical evacuation and mental health programs.

Prince Harry supported WHO's mental health work, emphasizing the importance of investing in the mental health of men, adolescents and children in particular.

“Prince Harry and Meghan’s commitment to mental health and humanitarian work has brought visibility, resources and hope to the world’s most vulnerable communities,” Tedros said.

Implications for Korea

This visit demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in responding to humanitarian crises in the Middle East. Korea is also a major humanitarian aid country and is participating in international cooperation in refugee medical support and mental health, so Jordan's case can serve as a reference for the future direction of Korea's global health diplomacy.