Ammon News - During their state visit to Jordan, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden on Wednesday visited King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), viewed as a key cancer hospital in the Middle East.

Upon their arrival, Their Majesties were received by HRH Prince Talal bin Muhammad, the King's Special Adviser, and HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center.

Their Majesties' visit to Jordan will contribute to increasing cooperation between Jordan and Sweden in the health care sector, cancer care and radiology treatment in Jordan.

Their Majesties were briefed on the Advanced Linear Accelerator (Linac) granted by the Swedish company Elekta for radiotherapy and radiosurgery, tumor equipment and clinical management for cancer treatment to Al Bashir Hospital in Amman in 2018.

In the presence of KHCC Director-General, Assem Mansour, and the Director-General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, Nisreen Qatamesh, Their Majesties were briefed on a video screened on the process to install "Gamma Knife" at the University of Jordan Hospital, which is an advanced alternative to traditional brain surgery and whole-brain radiotherapy for the treatment of complex and difficult brain conditions.

Princess Ghida expressed her "high" confidence in Swedish medical technology, including Elekta's radiotherapy technologies.

This cooperation and Sweden's support provided to Jordan in the field of medical excellence on a large scale, is an example of the success that can be achieved through global partnerships that enable Jordan to confront cancer with the best international standards, Princess Ghida said.

For his part, Minister of Health Dr. Firas Hawari said Ministry of Health is working with its partners in Jordan's medical, health and academic sectors to advance the necessary strategies and initiatives that help prevent and combat cancer, raise public awareness on its symptoms.

The minister also highlighted the importance of early cancer treatment and diagnosis and efforts to develop medical treatment to the highest levels of efficiency, including palliative care.

Hawari lauded the donation made by the Swedish company Elekta, which helps Jordanian patients and refugees, indicating that Sweden's continuous support and commitment is the result of the "strong historic" relations and "true" friendship between the two countries.

Swedish Ambassador to Jordan Alexandra Rydmark said science and technology are essential to finding a solution to all the enormous challenges currently facing humanity.

"Our societies will only prosper through continuous progress and development, and this was emphasized during the state visit of Their Majesties to Jordan, " Rydmark said.

Meanwhile, a member of Elekta Board of Directors, Caroline Leksell, said there are more than 11,500 patients in Jordan who are diagnosed with cancer annually, and patients who need radiotherapy are treated with Elekta equipment, and many are hospitalized at King Hussein Cancer Center.
//Petra// AG