Ammon News - Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Princess Muna on Monday attended the Health Care Accreditation Council's celebration of the 15th founding anniversary, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

HH Prince Mired, Minister of Health Feras Al Hawari, Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi, the director general of the Royal Medical Services, and a large number of officials and directors of hospitals and various health institutions attended the event.

Hawari said that Jordan was able to become a role model in the field of improving the quality of health services and safety of patients, based on the royal vision to advance the health sector, develop and facilitate health procedures.

The minister added that the Ministry of Health has established programmes to improve the quality of services and safety of patients in its hospitals and health centres, which are spread across all governorates of the Kingdom, in cooperation with the council, a strategic partner of the ministry.

The number of accredited hospitals affiliated with the ministry amounted to 15, in addition to 16 mammography units, while the number of centres, accredited by the council, reached 98, he said.

Two hundred health centres and six hospitals also applied for accreditation, in implementation of the Economic Modernisation Vision and the strategy of the Ministry of Health, he added.

Hawari stressed that the council contributed to improving the quality of health services provided by governmental and private health institutions, by applying international and national quality standards.

Health Care Accreditation Council’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors Said Darwazeh said that the council is a regional centre providing expertise and services related to the quality of healthcare services and patient safety.

Darwazeh extended appreciation towards the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Royal Medical Services for being keen on obtaining accreditation and applying required standards.

In a recorded speech, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Mandhari, lauded the efforts of the council in preparing policies to develop the health system in Jordan and the region, indicating that cooperation with the council is one of the priorities of the WHO to enhance health services in the region.

USAID Director in Amman Sherry Carlin said that the council was founded as a USAID project in 2003, adding that it stands today as an independent and impartial national institution, highlighting the need to continue cooperation with the council to enhance the various health services provided to patients.

Princess Muna honoured a group of accredited health institutions located in all governorates of the Kingdom, including hospitals, primary health care centres, medical laboratories, baby-friendly hospitals, mammography units, approved medical centres and clinics, in addition to veteran residents, employees of the council and donor institutions.