29 July 2018 –  Dr Naoko Yamamoto, Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Universal Health Coverage, visited Jordan to gain an overview on the health system in the country. Dr Yamamoto is keen that the scope of work on universal health coverage in all countries addresses the health needs of vulnerable populations, refugees and migrants in order to ensure that no one is left behind. 

Dr Yamamoto met with H.E Dr Mahmoud Alsheyyab, Minister of Health, to discuss major issues facing the Jordanian health system. H.E explained to Dr Yamamoto the need to revitalize the primary health care system in Jordan with a focus on the family practice approach. 

H.E and the Assistant Director-General signed the Global Compact UHC2030; a partnership agreement with WHO and the World Bank that supports the Government of Jordan in strengthening the health system and moving towards universal health coverage.

During her visit to Jordan Dr Yamamoto conducted a field trip to a comprehensive primary health care facility and the public hospital in Ramtha governorate in northern  Jordan. Those facilities are located just 5 km away from the borders with south Syria and they provide services to both Jordanians and Syrians refugees in host communities. “Many thanks to the Director of Ramtha hospital and his team for their huge efforts to support wounded Syrian refugees since the onset of the emergency,” Dr Yamamoto said. 

The visit was concluded with a high-level partners meeting organized by WHO country office in Jordan where Dr Yamamoto had the chance to interact with health partners in the country and discuss with them the challenges that Jordan faces to achieve UHC and the best ways to tackle them. "I was really impressed by the high-level commitment of the government of Jordan and partners towards achieving universal health coverage and complying with the 2030 agenda,” Dr Yamamoto stressed.

WHO's new approach, vision and strategy is reflected in the 13th General Programme of Work for 2019–2023 (GPW13) that was endorsed by the 71st session of the World Health Assembly in May 2018.

The triple-billion people to benefit from GPW13 and interconnected strategic priorities are based on the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals and are aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages by achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations to “Promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable”.