The Jordanian Healthcare System

1086 Words3 Pages

Introduction

Jordan is an Arab country, situated in the Middle East, bordered by Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Israel. Located at the crossing point of a number of major highways which connect the Middle East, the country is strategically important, but also the destination for successive waves of immigrants. Jordan’s large immigrant population has created an significant and lasting impact upon the nature of the country’s health care system.

History of Health Care in Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy that gained independence from Great Britain on May 25, 1946. With a population of just over 6 million, 82.6% of Jordanians live in urban areas, and 17.4 % in rural areas. The political system is described by Johnson and Stoskopf (2010) as “parliamentary with a hereditary monarchy” (p. 262), with the Jordanian King acting as the head of state, chief executive and head of the armed forces. In the 1950s the country developed a new modern constitution which is still in use today and guarantees the rights of all citizens.

Jordan’s health care system was formed in two distinct phases. During the period 1921-1946, the country experienced the introduction of its first public hospital, health law, and national health department. The second phase started in the late 1940s, when the first ministry of health was established, followed by a physicians union, central laboratory for medical tests, the country’s first nursing school, and the introduction of other health related educational programs. In 1963, the first health insurance scheme was initiated for members of the armed forces, followed by the first public health insurance scheme for civilians in 1965.

Current Health Care System

Jordan is con...

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...huge strain upon its viability. Over the last three decades the system has undergone major reforms as the country has tried to improve coverage, reduce non communicable diseases, and generally maintain and improve quality health care for its citizens.

But, the system will require major government commitment if it is achieve these goals.

Works Cited

Hasna, F., Hundt, G. L., Al-Smairan, M. & Alzaroo, S. (2010). Quality of primary nursing care for Bedouin in Jordan. International Journal Of Nursing Practice, 16(6), 564-572. doi:10.1111/j.1440-172X.2010.01882.x

Johnson, J. & Stoskopf, C. (2010). Comparative health systems: Global perspectives for the 21st century. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

The people of Jordan. (n.d.) retrieved from http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/people1.html

Zahran, M. (2012). Jordan Is Palestinian. Middle East Quarterly, 19(1), 3-12.

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