Ammon News - Minister of Finance Mohammad Issis and the Head of the Jordanian National Center for Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Control (JCDC) Raeda Qutb signed on Tuesday a 39 million euros agreement with Germany's KfW Development Bank to support the Jordanian government and the center.

Qutb said that the signing of the agreement reflects the commitment of the German government to push forward cooperation on development between Jordan and Germany and strengthen the national capabilities of the health system in dealing with and combating epidemics and communicable diseases, according to a JCDC statement.

She indicated that the amount allocated in the agreement will cover the construction of a permanent building for the center and equipping it with technologies used in developed countries, in addition to the construction of facilities and laboratories equipped with top-grade equipment, health technology and computerized technology, noting that part of the funding will also be extended to partner government agencies that work directly with the center.

The financial support from the German government has come in due time, underlined Qutb, as the world witnesses many health challenges resulting from the spread of epidemics and communicable diseases that require more coordination and support efforts at the national, regional and global levels.

She added that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a specialized epidemics center, adding that the establishment of the JCDC aimed at coordinating national efforts to respond to current and future health threats and enhancing health security in the Kingdom by supporting health service providers and using scientific methods to prevent and control epidemics, communicable and non-communicable diseases and health risks and maintain biological security.