Through funding from the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis (Madad Fund), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) are collaborating to implement the “Jordan Health Programme for Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanians”.
An overall contribution of EUR 43 million is aimed at strengthening primary health care services for Syrian Refugees and vulnerable Jordanians with focus on routine immunization and COVID-19 preparedness and response.
MoH and WHO Country Office in Jordan are conducting two key assessments of the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in July and August 2021 to identify strengths and critical gaps to inform evidence-based policy decisions.
The EPI Comprehensive Review and Data-Quality Self-Assessment will target health directorates at the governorate and district level as well as primary healthcare facilities in all 12 governorates.
The EPI Review will address all components of the national immunization programme focusing on programme management and financing, human resources management, vaccine supply, quality and logistics, service delivery, immunization coverage, Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) monitoring, disease surveillance and demand generation.
The Data-Quality Self- Assessment will evaluate the quality, accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of recorded and reported data on immunization.
Minister of Health, Firas Hawari, acknowledged the partnership with the European Union supporting Ministry of Health and WHO efforts in strengthening primary health care in Jordan.
He emphasized the importance of conducting these assessments to establish a baseline for strengthening routine immunization, the most cost-effective health intervention.
“Now more than ever, we prioritize strengthening routine immunization in view of effect of COVID-19 pandemic on health system and services”, Dr. Hawari added.
The EU Ambassador to Jordan, Maria Hadjitheodosiou, stated that: “The EU is committed to preventing threats to public health posed by infectious diseases. It is particularly important during these challenging times to review the National Programme on Immunization, in order to strengthen the long-term capacity of the Ministry of Health to meet the national requirements of providing free routine immunization for all people across the country, while reaching the most vulnerable.”
Jamela Al-Raiby, Acting WHO Representative to Jordan said: “The EPI Comprehensive Review is being conducted in Jordan for the first time. We firmly believe that the findings will guide Ministry of Health efforts to improve, sustain, and strengthen the National Immunization Programme.”
Based on the findings and recommendations of the assessments, Ministry of Health and WHO will jointly plan and implement interventions to promote and strengthen routine immunization services and extend the reach of these services to the most vulnerable populations with focus on Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.
Since its establishment in December 2014, a significant share of the EU’s non-humanitarian aid for Syria’s neighboring countries has been provided through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis.
Source: Jordan News Agency