Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD), paid an official visit to Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp, home to some 90,000 Syrian refugees.
As part of the visit, Her Excellency officially opened the camp’s main primary health care facility, supported by the Big Heart Campaign for Syrian Refugee Children.
Her Excellency toured the clinic and received a thorough briefing from UNHCR and the Jordan Health Aid Society (JHAS), UNHCR’s principle health partner.
Receiving some 500 to 600 patients per day, the clinic is currently operating 7 days a week.
Services provided at the center include primary, mental and reproductive health as well as rehabilitation, nutrition, management of non-communicable chronic disease and referral services for secondary and tertiary cases.
The Big Heart Campaign’s support towards the health clinic came as part of a USD 5 million donation to support UNHCR’s efforts in the health sector in Jordan as directed by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness Ruler of Sharjah, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children
“The establishment of the clinic represents another step in the right direction thanks to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher and the Big Heart Campaign, for those who have fled the horrors of Syria,” said Andrew Harper, UNHCR Jordan Representative.
“Working though Jordanian NGO, JHAS, the medical team is able to provide the best of care, 24 hours a day,” he added.
The health center is equipped with a central laboratory, emergency department, post-natal space, designated facilities for mental health and rehabilitation for disabled, pharmacy and medical warehouse.
“The health needs in the camp are immense especially amongst women and children who account for the majorityof the camp’s population,” said Mariam AlHammadi – Assistant manager Salam Ya Seghar.
“In light the high instances of extremely vulnerable cases in the camp, heightened support from the international community will be crucial to ensuring that acute health needs are adequately addressed,” Mariam added.
In April earlier this year, as an important demonstration of international solidarity, the UAE Government pledged USD 5 million to support UNHCR in Jordan in the areas of health and WASH.
There are currently some 600,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan. Za’atari Camp, established in early 2013, is Jordan’s fourth largest city.