Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) of the U.A.E. has paid an official visit to Jordan s Za'atari Refugee Camp, home to some 90,000 Syrian refugees, and officially opened the camp s main primary health care facility, supported by the Big Heart Campaign for Syrian Refugee Children.
She toured the clinic and received a thorough briefing from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Jordan Health Aid Society (JHAS), the principle health partner of the UN agency. The clinic is receiving some 500 to 600 patients per day, and operating 7 days a week.
Services provided at the centre 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.
Sheikha Lubna expressed deep appreciation, gratitude and praise to H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children for her extraordinary efforts to support refugees.
The Big Heart Campaign s support of the health clinic came as part of a US$ 5 million donation to support UNHCR s efforts in the health sector in Jordan as directed by H.H. Sheikha Jawaher.
"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 centre is equipped with a central laboratory, emergency department, post-natal space, designated facilities for mental health and rehabilitation for the disabled, plus a pharmacy and medical warehouse.
"The health needs in the camp are immense, especially amongst women and children who account for the majority of the camp s population," said Mariam Al Hammadi Assistant Manager, Salam Ya Seghar.
"In light of 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.
There are currently some 600,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan.
Source: WAM