On the occasion of World Cancer Day and under the auspices of the Minister of Health, Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, Himmetna Association organized a special dialogue session entitled “National Efforts in Fighting Cancer: Union – Safety – Justice” with the participation of Brigadier General Dr. King Hussein Cancer Center, and Prof. Dr. Jamal Melhem, Director of the University of Jordan Hospital, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghazo, Director of King Abdullah Founder Hospital, with the support of Zain.
This session coincides with the launch of national campaigns to raise awareness of the various national efforts in fighting cancer, as Jordan is one of the countries that record a high annual incidence of cancer of all kinds. On the other hand, this dialogue session is an affirmation of the joint national efforts undertaken by governmental and non-governmental agencies to limit and combat the spread of this disease.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Firas al-Hawari, said that the Ministry is seeking to partner with well-established health institutions in caring for cancer patients to provide the necessary curative and preventive medical services to advance the required and distinguished level in government hospitals and within its comprehensive plan emanating from government directions in treating cancer patients.
Zain Jordan said that its hosting of this session on its ZINC innovation platform comes as a continuation of its pivotal role in supporting the Jordanian health sector within the framework of its social responsibility, and its cooperation with the “Our Mission” initiative to intensify efforts in confronting cancer by supporting the various projects that the association is evaluating, such as establishing an isolation department. The specialized treatment center in Al-Hussein Medical City, where Zain’s contribution amounted to 146 thousand dinars, the rehabilitation of the oncology department at Al-Bashir Hospital, and the comprehensive rehabilitation project of Princess Basma Health Center in Ras Al-Ain. Zain is also one of the largest supporters and one of the distinguished donors to the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center.
The dialogue session, which was moderated by Eng. Rami Al-Adwan, focused on a number of main axes, the most prominent of which is a review of the reality of cancer in Jordan in terms of annual numbers and stages of disease detection, in addition to comparing Jordan’s numbers with the countries of the world and cure rates. On the other hand, the second axis focused on cancer treatment services in Jordan from the patient's perspective and forms of cooperation between various institutions in providing treatment for patients, including transfer mechanisms between different centers, ease and clarity of procedures, in addition to highlighting the guarantee of continuity of treatment for the patient and the computerization mechanism. And the ability to follow patients continuously and share their information automatically. As for the third axis, it focused on the issue of treatment, concerted efforts and its integration from an institutional perspective, including national capacity, infrastructure, development of services and health care, As for the fourth and final axis, it was the share of the recommendations to reach a Jordanian cancer system that covers awareness and prevention, the right of patients to receive fair and good service, the role of civil society in improving the care situation for cancer patients, the role of the private health sector, in addition to reviewing the work model of the Al-Hussein Center management Oncology Center at Al-Bashir Hospital.
It is noteworthy that the special dialogue session was attended by His Excellency Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, Jordanian Minister of Health, and Brigadier General Dr. Youssef Zureikat, Director General of the Royal Medical Services and Prof. Muhammad Al-Ghazou, Director of the Founding King Hospital and Dr. Monther Al-Hourat, Assistant Director of the King Hussein Cancer Center and Prof. Dr.. Jamal Melhem, Director of the University of Jordan Hospital, and Dr. Fadia Samara, President of Himmetna Innitiative.
For her part, Dr. confirmed. Fadia Samara emphasized the importance of partnership, union, concerted efforts and their integration between all sectors and institutions as a main driver of national efforts in fighting cancer and contributing to achieving a more efficient, fair and safe Jordanian cancer system for all cancer patients.
