Amman, Feb. 24 (Petra) -- Chairman of the Board of the Jordanian Charity Medicine Bank Ashraf Kilani said royal recognition of humanitarian initiatives provides strong momentum to advance voluntary work and strengthen pharmaceutical security in the Kingdom.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Tuesday, Kilani said that support from His Majesty King Abdullah II remains a source of determination and positive energy to continue serving those in need.
The King had met at Al Husseiniya Palace with a number of national humanitarian initiative leaders, commending their efforts in serving the community. He stressed the importance of reinforcing solidarity and social cohesion, and of instilling humanitarian and volunteer values in future generations. The King also listened to their experiences and contributions across sectors, particularly health, education and social services.
Kilani, who attended the meeting representing the national body hosting the Jordanian Charity Drug Bank initiative, said the idea of establishing the bank stemmed from clear royal directives emphasizing that "the health and medication of Jordanians are not subject to compromise." He said the initiative was inspired by the King’s calls to enhance pharmaceutical security, leading to the establishment of Jordan’s first charitable drug bank in March 2023. The bank was licensed under the Associations Law and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.
Since its launch, the bank has organized hundreds of free medical days in remote areas and distributed medications to thousands of citizens and refugees across the Kingdom through a specialized medical and pharmaceutical team. More than 11,000 beneficiaries have received free medication, in addition to hundreds of awareness lectures and medical and pharmaceutical consultations.
Kilani said the initiative carries out free medical days in cooperation with several entities, including visits to institutions caring for orphans and the elderly. Partnerships include the Ministry of Health, the Jordan Pharmacists Association, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical companies, drug warehouses and volunteers from across society.
He added that the royal recognition reflects the King’s commitment to following up and supporting community initiatives. The meeting, he said, provides additional impetus to institutionalize the bank’s work and expand its services to ensure continued provision of free medication to those in need across the Kingdom.
Kilani stressed the importance of sustaining free medical days in underprivileged areas and strengthening national partnerships to help build a sustainable health solidarity system that serves citizens and translates the King’s humanitarian vision into action.
//Petra// NQ
