Khaberni - His Majesty King Abdullah II inaugurated today, Tuesday, the Princess Basma Hospital in Irbid, which is the second largest governmental hospital in the kingdom, and directed the government to establish a center for treating cancer diseases in it, similar to the experience of the Samih Darwazah Center for Oncology in Al-Bashir Hospitals.
His Majesty highlighted, during his meeting with nobles and representatives of the Irbid governorate community at Al-Hassan Youth City, the importance of the hospital in improving healthcare in the northern governorates.
His Majesty expressed his pleasure to be in Irbid, which is witnessing development and expansion, emphasizing the necessity to develop its infrastructure and roads to the required level.
His Majesty noted the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of public and touristic places, which reflects Jordan's civilized image.
His Majesty the King pointed to his opening of the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products in the governorate, praising the exhibition’s role in helping farmers market their products throughout the year, and describing Irbid as the "land of goodness".
His Majesty touched on Jordan’s regional and international relations, saying that the past year witnessed efforts to diversify and strengthen political and economic partnerships, pursue opportunities, and attract investments.
Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan noted during the meeting that the government, based on the directions of His Majesty the King, held cabinet meetings in all provinces last year, and during the cabinet session held in the Irbid governorate, along with elected bodies and deputies and notables of the province, agreed on a three-year development plan for the province that included 140 projects worth about 700 million dinars.
The Prime Minister said the government will work on implementing the directives of His Majesty the King to establish a cancer treatment center at Princess Basma Hospital, through a cooperation agreement to be signed with the King Hussein Cancer Center to ensure the quality of services provided, noting that the government is also working on expanding other hospitals in Irbid.
Regarding the education sector, the Prime Minister confirmed that the government completed the construction of 8 new schools during the last semester, and is currently working on completing 12 additional schools that will be available at the start of the next school term in September, noting that there will also be significant spending on water and sewage networks.
Hassan noted the importance of opening the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products in marketing the products of farmers, along with the tendering of the new central market a few days ago, confirming that these two projects will add value to the agricultural sector in all northern governorates.
Regarding infrastructure, the Prime Minister affirmed that the government will complete the Irbid ring road project in stages, and implement it in cooperation with the private sector, noting the government's cooperation with the Irbid Emaar Corporation to rehabilitate Tell Irbid and create a public park.
In turn, Youssef Al-Issawi, the head of the Royal Hashemite Court, noted the projects of the Royal Initiatives in the governorate since 2006, which were executed with a total value of 68 million dinars in vital sectors, most notably education, youth, health, and social development, adding that the productive projects provide 1950 job opportunities.
Al-Issawi highlighted the role of the environmental lodge in the Yarmouk Reserve, which was inaugurated today, Tuesday, in enhancing environmental tourism and marketing rural products to the local community, contributing to providing 50 job opportunities for people from the Yarmouk and Um Qais areas.
On his part, the Governor of Irbid, Radwan Al-Atoum, welcomed the visit of His Majesty the King, appreciating His Majesty's emphasis on the necessity to develop economic, social, and service sectors and empower youth.
Speakers from the audience praised His Majesty the King's keenness to communicate with the sons and daughters of the nation, and they referred to various aspects of development witnessed by the Irbid governorate in the fields of education, culture, health, infrastructure and public services, industry, investment, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, noting the importance of projects serving retired military personnel and comrades-in-arms.
During His Majesty's opening of Princess Basma Hospital before the meeting, His Majesty the King listened to an explanation given by the Minister of Health Ibrahim Al-Badour about the hospital, which is a fundamental pillar within the state’s plan to modernize healthcare infrastructure.
The Minister noted that the hospital aims to provide advanced therapeutic and diagnostic services according to the highest adopted standards, consists of 9 floors, and includes 504 beds expandable, highlighting that the total cost of constructing and equipping the hospital was about 100 million dinars, funded jointly by the government and the Saudi Development Fund.
For his part, Ibrahim Al-Shahabat, Director of Princess Basma Hospital, mentioned that the hospital is equipped with the latest technical and administrative systems that match the best global practices in managing and operating health facilities, which aim to improve work efficiency and ensure the highest safety standards for patients and staff.
During His Majesty's opening of the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products, launched in partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Irbid Emaar Corporation and the Greater Irbid Municipality in King Abdullah II Parks, His Majesty listened to an explanation given by the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board, Abdul-Raouf Al-Rawabdeh, about the role of the exhibition, established with support from the Royal Hashemite Court within the framework of Royal Initiatives, in empowering farmers, housewives, associations, and assisting them in marketing their products.
His Majesty toured the exhibition, which includes rural and local food products, handicrafts, natural products, and traditional foods, and learned about the impact of the project through a briefing from Monther Al-Batayneh, the Executive Director of the Irbid Emaar Corporation, who explained that the exhibition facilities cover an area of 4500 square meters, including product display halls, warehouses, and halls for conferences and training workshops, adding that the exhibition provides direct and indirect employment opportunities and new marketing prospects for producers, activates economic and tourist movement, and enhances the sustainability of the agricultural sector and rural food industries.
