The Ministry of Health launches a programme to enhance pandemic preparedness

Amman, 21 December 2025 – Minister of Health Dr. Ibrahim Al-Badour emphasized the importance of strengthening national preparedness for epidemics in Jordan, describing it as a firmly established national commitment aimed at protecting public health, enhancing health security, and building an integrated health system capable of responding efficiently and effectively to current and future health challenges.

This statement came during his sponsorship today, Sunday, of the launch ceremony of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemic Preparedness Enhancement Program in Jordan, implemented in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The program is a strategic national initiative aimed at raising Jordan’s capacities in prevention, preparedness, and response to future epidemics, in line with the One Health approach, which promotes integration between human, animal, and environmental health.

Dr. Al-Badour explained that the program’s launch reflects a participatory approach based on institutional integration among relevant government bodies and in collaboration with supporting international organizations. He emphasized that unifying national and international efforts is a fundamental pillar in addressing cross-border health risks and embedding the concepts of early preparedness and readiness.

He noted that the rapid health transformations worldwide necessitate pre-emptive preparedness as a national priority and a shared sovereign responsibility, pointing out that recent experiences at various levels have demonstrated that early detection of health threats and rapid, coordinated responses form the foundation for protecting national health security and ensuring the sustainability of health systems.

Dr. Al-Badour stated that the program represents a qualitative leap in strengthening Jordan’s national epidemic preparedness system by addressing existing gaps, enhancing integration between relevant sectors, and advancing capacities in prevention, surveillance, and response. The program is based on three main pillars: developing early warning systems, strengthening human and veterinary laboratory capacities, and investing in human capital within the framework of the One Health approach.

He emphasized the pivotal role of national institutions in implementing the program, stressing that achieving its objectives requires clear institutional commitment and high-level coordination among all parties, within a framework of good governance and in line with national priorities.

For her part, Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Jordan, highlighted the importance of partnerships to achieve stronger and more resilient health systems: "The Pandemic Fund project is an example of collective action that reflects our shared commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods. These activities help strengthen the resilience of our health systems, making them more sustainable and better able to face future challenges."

She added that the project aligns with the global vision of promoting investment and coordination among partners to support prevention and emergency response mechanisms, making countries better equipped to address crises and reduce their humanitarian, economic, and social impacts.

Similarly, Eng. Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative in Jordan, stated that enhancing epidemic preparedness relies on an effective participatory approach that brings together the health, agricultural, veterinary, and environmental sectors under the One Health framework. He emphasized that FAO believes close partnership between national institutions, international partners, and local communities is the cornerstone of building more integrated and sustainable surveillance and response systems. He added that through this program, FAO is committed to supporting Jordan in strengthening national capacities, protecting human and animal health and the environment, and enhancing the resilience of national systems to future health threats, thereby ensuring the sustainability of food systems in Jordan.

Meanwhile, Marc Rubin, UNICEF Representative to Jordan, said that UNICEF works closely with the government and national partners through this programme to ensure families receive accurate information in a timely manner, engage local communities, and protect children and vulnerable groups. He emphasized that strong health systems are built on trust, and that engaging, informing, and listening to people enhances the ability to prevent health threats from turning into emergencies.

The program is funded by the Global Pandemic Fund, a financing mechanism established to help countries close gaps in epidemic preparedness by investing in health systems and human resources, and by strengthening community resilience before health threats escalate into crises. The program also brings together national institutions, donors, UN agencies, and civil society partners under a comprehensive partnership that reflects a collective commitment to protecting public health in Jordan.

The program is implemented by the Ministry of Health in close coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases, focusing on enhancing surveillance and early warning systems, developing the national laboratory network, and building the capacities of health and community workforce.

These investments are considered key pillars for enhancing health security, building public trust, and increasing the resilience and capacity of the health system.

The programme represents an investment of $4.02 million provided by the Global Pandemic Fund for Jordan, in addition to $1.04 million in co-financing from implementing partners, reflecting the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation in strengthening the country’s preparedness to face future health challenges.