International Public Health Conference Kicks Off In Amman

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 3 (Petra) -- The 9th International Conference of the Jordan Public Health Association began on Thursday under the theme "Advancing Public Health for a Resilient Future."
The event is held under the patronage of Minister of Health Firas Hawari and brings together leading public health experts from Jordan and around the world.
The conference aims to address current and emerging health challenges, share scientific experiences and best practices, and promote stronger health systems, universal health coverage, and health equity.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Secretary-General for Primary Health Care and Epidemiology Raed Shboul highlighted Jordan's notable achievements in public health, crediting the wise Hashemite leadership and close collaboration among public and private health sectors, civil society, and international partners.
Shboul emphasized that Jordan's health system maintained its efficiency under the immense pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic by building national capacity, which helped reduce disease burdens and mortality rates. He noted the ministry's success in managing the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign and its continued focus on combating antimicrobial resistance.
He also underlined the ministry's development of a national strategy on climate change and its impact on health, which addresses vector-borne diseases, respiratory illnesses, and mental health, while enhancing health facilities to be environmentally friendly and climate-resilient.
The ministry has prioritized the national immunization program by introducing new vaccines, including pneumococcal and varicella vaccines, a significant milestone for the program. It has also upgraded the National Maternal Mortality Registry to include neonatal deaths and maintained timely annual reports for the National Cancer Registry, with the 2023 report due soon.
Shboul noted the adoption of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system as a requirement for promotion, advancement, and renewal of healthcare licenses. The ministry has expanded residency programs to graduate well-trained public health and epidemiology specialists and is working to automate health services to support data-driven decision-making.
Nashat Taani, President of the Jordan Public Health Association and the conference, said the two-day event will cover key topics including vaccination, environmental health, epidemics, mental and digital health, and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
In a virtual address, Bettina Borisch, CEO of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, stressed that public health is a necessity for all nations, urging countries to strengthen emergency preparedness and response. She emphasized the importance of coordination and partnerships across sectors and commended the efforts of the Jordan Public Health Association.
President of the Jordan Medical Association Issa Khashashneh called for greater collaboration among institutions and organizations to share knowledge and reinforce the goals of continuing medical education.
WHO Representative in Jordan, Iman Shankiti, highlighted that public health extends beyond treating illness to prevention, health education, and emergency preparedness, ensuring healthy living conditions for all. She described public health as the backbone of social justice and sustainable development, noting the challenges posed by climate crises, pandemics, conflicts, and forced migration, which make investing in public health an urgent priority.
She praised Jordan's progress in expanding universal health coverage and improving access to services, especially for vulnerable groups, including refugees and people in remote areas. She affirmed WHO's continued support for Jordan in capacity-building, health policy reform, and evidence-based decision-making.
Adel Balbisi, President of the National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases, said Royal Decree established the Center to serve as a national reference point to strengthen practices in epidemic and communicable disease prevention, coordinate emergency preparedness and response, enhance disease surveillance, develop health information systems, and provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers.
Finally, Mohannad Nsour, Executive Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, delivered a lecture titled "The Role of Public Health in Jordan's Health System: Achievements, Ambitions, and Challenges."

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