Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), a government-owned entity, announced a grant of $200 million to finance a major expansion of Jordan's largest army-run medical center.

The grant is part of the Arab Gulf country's commitment in a $5-billion package the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged to Jordan in 2011. With this grant, the UAE has fully fulfilled its $1.25bln share of the package.

The grant was announced at a press conference at the Queen Rania Hospital for Children and brought together Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Imad Fakhoury, Director of the Royal Medical Services, Maj. Gen. Mu'ain Habashnah, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Muhammad Saif al-Suwaidi and UAE Ambassador in Amman, Bilal al-Rabea'.

Fakhoury explained that the expansion scheme of the King Hussein Medical Center, established in 1973, incorporates 3 phases that include the construction of a new hospital with 940-bed capacity and a gynecology, obstetrics and newborn care hospital with a capacity of 400 beds. Additionally, the scheme will see the construction of a comprehensive complex that houses ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery and dental clinics and other specialist clinics.

The first phase of the scheme will cost $600 million and upon completion of all phases, the total bed capacity of the King Hussein Medical Center will jump to 2472, up by 97 per cent from the current capacity. The minister thanked the UAE for this generous donation and said it reflects a deep-rooted relationship between the two countries. He said the UAE's contribution in the GCC package helped Jordan finance priority and strategic projects at a time when the Kingdom faces economic hardships arising from regional turmoil.

Fakhoury said the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is a key partner in supporting Jordan's development efforts as it helped in financing 11 priority social and economic projects in the Kingdom.

ADFD Director-General, Muhammad Saif al-Suwaidi, emphasized that the UAE will always stand by Jordan to help bypass the challenges it faces due to regional circumstances. He said the UAE leadership is keen to develop and cement ties with Jordan in various domains.