Ammon News - The Ministry of Health concluded the Syria Crisis Response Project on Thursday, which was implemented with support from the European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (Madad).

The five-year project, valued at €43 million, played a crucial role in strengthening Jordan's health system. The project focused on enhancing primary healthcare services, improving vaccination access for Syrian refugees and host communities, and upgrading healthcare governance systems.

Key achievements included establishing a regional vaccination center in Irbid, equipping the national vaccination warehouse with solar energy, and financing four cold rooms and 380 refrigerators to improve vaccine storage and distribution.

During the closing ceremony, Minister of Health Firas Hawari highlighted the project's impact on Jordan's health infrastructure, expanding the national vaccination program, and providing millions of vaccine doses to children. He noted that the project facilitated the creation of a modern regional vaccine warehouse in Irbid and upgraded national storage capacities, preparing Jordan for the introduction of new vaccines.

The project also trained over 2,000 healthcare professionals, including vaccination managers and supply chain specialists, to sustain and enhance the national vaccination program. It supported the transition to a strategic vaccine procurement system in collaboration with the Government Procurement Department and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, ensuring access to high-quality vaccines at competitive prices.

Hawari emphasized the project's role in strengthening Jordan's healthcare resilience against emergencies and crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project provided vaccines, medicines, and essential medical equipment, aiding in pandemic response efforts and protecting both citizens and refugees. Additionally, it contributed to national pharmaceutical security by establishing a strategic medical warehouse in Zarqa Governorate, securing a four-month emergency stockpile.

European Union Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas praised the project’s lasting impact, particularly in expanding vaccination coverage across Jordan, including underserved areas hosting Syrian refugees. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Jordan's healthcare system and emergency preparedness.

World Health Organization Representative in Jordan Jamela Al-Raiby underscored the collaboration between WHO, the Ministry of Health, and the EU in improving immunization access, strengthening supply chain management, and enhancing financial protection and emergency response capabilities. She called for continued investment in sustainable healthcare systems to ensure universal health coverage.

Huda Ababneh, Program Director at the Ministry of Health, outlined the project's contributions to improving medical infrastructure, strengthening supply chains, and modernizing vaccine procurement. She highlighted its role in expanding healthcare services and reinforcing Jordan’s progress toward universal health coverage.

The project also modernized medical supply chains by constructing three new warehouses in Amman and Zarqa, rehabilitating 10 regional warehouses in Irbid and Ma'an, and establishing a medical transport unit with a fleet of refrigerated trucks to ensure the quality of medicines. It further played a critical role in Jordan’s COVID-19 response by supplying vaccines, medical equipment, and technical support for emergency preparedness and personnel training. Petra