Health Ministry Advances National Strategy to Protect Communities in Health Crises

Ammon

10-11-2024

Ammon News - The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Germany's Robert Koch Institute, and the Jordan Center For Disease Control, hosted a comprehensive workshop last week aimed at developing Jordan's national strategy for community protection during health emergencies.
Held over four days, the workshop convened key figures from government ministries, community health committees, civil society, and international organizations to shape a unified and effective response framework.
The workshop focused on coordinating efforts to create actionable plans for social and behavioral change, fostering public trust in preventive healthcare measures, and enabling swift, cooperative action during crises.
Riad Al-Shayyab, Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry, emphasized that the initiative represents a commitment to a holistic approach, integrating community voices at every phase of strategic development, from early problem identification to hands-on planning, implementation, and evaluation.
"This collaborative approach ensures a tailored, real-world strategy that effectively addresses public health needs," said Al-Shayyab. "By involving communities throughout, we can make health protection more grounded in everyday realities."
Adel Al-Balbisi, head of the National Center for Epidemics, underscored the importance of the strategy for Jordan's resilience in health emergencies. He noted that a "whole-community approach" bolstered by cross-sectoral cooperation will strengthen Jordan's readiness and ability to respond to health threats.
First Secretary at the German embassy in Amman Guido Kemmerling commended the workshop for facilitating knowledge exchange on health preparedness and response, while WHO representative Jamila Al-Raabi emphasized the power of community engagement in confronting health risks.
"Our collective goal is resilient, health-conscious communities," she stated, adding that lessons from this initiative would be shared across the Eastern Mediterranean to enhance regional health security.
Ghaith Owais, Director of Health Awareness and Media at the Ministry, affirmed that a comprehensive community protection strategy is a national priority. He highlighted the importance of inclusive participation to empower local health committees, dispel misinformation, and elevate health literacy across Jordanian communities.