His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, on Monday inaugurated Al Hussein Hospital in Salt (an ancient agricultural town and administrative centre in west-central Jordan), a 350-bed, 11-storey facility.

During a tour of the hospital, built at a cost of JD90 million, King Abdullah stressed the importance of enhancing healthcare services around the Kingdom.

His Majesty was briefed by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on the government’s efforts, upon Royal directives, to improve public health services, including through infrastructure upgrades by establishing new hospitals or expanding existing ones. Prime Minister Razzaz also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand health insurance coverage.

He said 15 hospitals and 101 healthcare centres have been accredited, while procedures at 20 hospitals and 151 healthcare centres have been automated to facilitate the process for patients and control the dispensing of medications. The King was also briefed by Health Minister Saad Jaber on the comprehensive healthcare services offered at Al Hussein Hospital, which includes all medical specialities and is furnished with the latest medical equipment. Jaber said the hospital’s capacity can be upgraded to 500 beds.

For his part, the hospital’s director, Anwar Nweiri, said the hospital boasts 13 operating rooms, 21 kidney dialysis machines, a coronary care unit with a 14-bed capacity, and an intensive care unit with a 26-bed capacity. Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kemal Al Nasser, and Minister of Public Works and Housing Falah Omoush accompanied His Majesty on the visit.

Original press font: The Jordan Times