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Ammon News - The government has incorporated, in the process of formulating the executive plan for the universal health coverage roadmap, the health financing reform and universal health coverage initiative for 2024-2025.

The strategy intends to progressively incorporate all citizens and residents into compulsory health insurance, commencing with primary healthcare, as it will enhance Jordan's position in the human development index, particularly concerning the provision of quality comprehensive health coverage at a reasonable cost.

The third quarter progress report on the executive program for the Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2025 indicated that the government has carried out the specific plan for the health sector computerization project, which is set to be computerized this year and was approved in the second quarter for two hospitals, 36 health centers, 4 specialized health centers, and two expansions.

The government is in the process of creating various strategies for the healthcare industry, including the "National Strategy for Medical Tourism 2023-2027," which is nearly at the final phase of approving its definitive version and implementation plan ahead of its rollout. This is part of the initiatives aimed at boosting the medical tourism sector in Jordan, along with the draft of the National Strategy for Quality and Patient Safety. Efforts are being made to develop a health sector strategy designed to improve the health sector comprehensively, thereby boosting its capacity to offer exceptional health services to every resident of the Kingdom.

The report indicated that the government has finalized the steps needed to sign a lease agreement for the land intended for the creation of an advanced technological simulation center aimed at achieving excellence and innovation in healthcare, education, medical training, and scientific research. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to initiate a tender for the center's establishment, along with formulating the required legislation for its operation.

To enhance the management of medical supply chains, including inventory control, the government set up a modern medical warehouse in the central area, provided essential devices and equipment like refrigerated vehicles and cold storage rooms, and initiated the electronic connection between the main warehouse and the administration of Al-Bashir Hospitals as an initial phase, which will later be extended to connect all hospitals and health directorates.

The government has restored warehouses in both the northern and southern areas, along with the two warehouses of Al-Bashir Hospitals, by executing the maintenance contract for these warehouses and providing them with essential equipment, achieving a total completion rate of 90 percent. The northern and southern warehouses are anticipated to be finished in November, while the two Al-Bashir warehouses are slated for completion in the first quarter of 2025, aimed at enhancing storage conditions and improving operational efficiency in the facilities.

The government has introduced 54 electronic services aimed at issuing professional practice permits for health professionals as part of the ongoing project for continuous professional development and licensing and re-licensing of health sector workers. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to prepare a national awareness campaign to promote the electronic system for continuous professional development.

The report indicated a postponement in creating the billing system because of technical and contractual issues, as the system being developed will undergo testing at a health center in a pilot phase, and depending on the outcomes, it will be implemented at health facilities.

The report highlighted that the preparation of the digital infrastructure for the virtual hospital was delayed because of the postponement in awarding the tender, mentioning that 90 percent of the tender for renovating the ground and first floors of the old Salt Hospital to set up the civil and electromechanical infrastructure was finished.