Irbid, Januray 20 (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday inaugurated Princess Basma Hospital in Irbid, the second largest public hospital in Jordan, and directed the government to establish a cancer centre there, similar to Al Bashir Hospital’s Samih Darwazah Oncology Centre.
During a meeting with local community leaders and representatives at El Hassan Youth City, His Majesty highlighted the hospital’s importance in raising the level of healthcare in the northern governorates. According to a royal court statement, the King praised Irbid for its growth and development, emphasising the need to ensure roads and infrastructure are developed to required standards.
His Majesty noted the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of public and tourist areas, to reflect Jordan’s positive image and civic pride.
During his visit to Irbid, the King also inaugurated the Permanent Exhibition for Agricultural and Rural Products, established with support from the Royal Hashemite Court under its Royal initiatives, and launched jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irbid Development Corporation, and Greater Irbid Municipality. His Majesty praised the exhibition’s role in empowering farmers, housewives, and associations to market their products year-round.
His Majesty touched on Jordan’s regional and international relations during his meeting with community leaders, noting that efforts were made over the last year to diversify and strengthen political and economic partnerships, pursue opportunities, and attract investment.
For his part, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan highlighted that under the King’s directives, the government held Cabinet meetings in all governorates last year. During the Cabinet session in Irbid, a three-year development plan for the governorate comprising 140 projects at a value of around JD700 million was agreed on with elected bodies and lawmakers of the governorate.
Hassan affirmed that, in addition to efforts to expand other hospitals in Irbid, the government will implement His Majesty’s directives to establish a cancer centre at Princess Basma Hospital in cooperation with the King Hussein Cancer Centre, to ensure quality services are provided.
Hassan highlighted the importance of the Permanent Exhibition for Agricultural and Rural Products, and a planned new central market, in marketing agricultural products, and the value-added for the agricultural sector in northern governorates.
Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi gave a brief about Royal initiatives implemented in Irbid since 2006, with a total value exceeding JD68 million.
Issawi also spoke about the newly opened eco-lodge at Yarmouk Nature Reserve, which will serve to promote eco-tourism, market community-made and led products and services, and provide 50 new job opportunities for Yarmouk and Umm Qais residents.
Speakers at the meeting highlighted development initiatives in Irbid in the fields of education, culture, health, infrastructure, public services, industry, investment, agriculture, and women’s empowerment.
During the inauguration of the Princess Basma Hospital, the King was briefed by Health Minister Ibrahim Badour on the hospital, who said it aims to provide advanced treatment and diagnostic services at the highest standards.
The hospital comprises nine floors and 504 beds, with the possibility of increasing this number, according to the minister, who noted that the total cost of constructing and equipping the hospital was approximately JD100 million, financed by the government and the Saudi Fund for Development.
During his tour of the Permanent Exhibition for Agricultural and Rural Products, featuring local and rural products, His Majesty was briefed on the exhibition’s impact.
The facility, which covers a 4,500 square metres area and includes product display halls, warehouses, conference rooms, and training workshops, will serve to provide direct and indirect job opportunities and new marketing prospects for producers, stimulating economic and tourist activity, and promoting sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh and Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Kneiaan Bluwi attended the meeting.
//Petra// AK
