His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday inaugurated Princess Basma Hospital in Irbid, the second-largest public hospital in the Kingdom, and directed the government to establish a cancer treatment center at the hospital, similar to the Samih Darwazeh Oncology Center at Al-Bashir Hospitals.
During a meeting with community leaders and representatives of Irbid Governorate at Prince Hassan Youth City, His Majesty highlighted the hospital’s importance in improving the level of healthcare services in the northern governorates.
His Majesty expressed his pleasure at being in Irbid, which is witnessing development and expansion, stressing the need to upgrade infrastructure and roads to meet the required standards.
The King also underscored the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of public and tourist areas, as this reflects Jordan’s civilized image.
His Majesty noted the inauguration of the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products in the governorate, praising its role in helping farmers market their products throughout the year, and describing Irbid as the “land of goodness.”
Addressing Jordan’s regional and international relations, His Majesty said that the past year witnessed efforts to diversify and strengthen political and economic partnerships, pursue opportunities, and attract investments.
Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan stated during the meeting that, based on His Majesty’s directives, the government held Cabinet meetings in all governorates last year. During the Cabinet session held in Irbid Governorate, consensus was reached with elected bodies, MPs, and senators of the governorate on a three-year development plan comprising 140 projects with a total value of approximately 700 million dinars.
The Prime Minister added that the government will implement His Majesty’s directives 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. He also noted that the government is working on expanding other hospitals in Irbid.
Regarding the education sector, the Prime Minister affirmed that the government completed the construction of eight new schools during the previous semester and is currently working on completing 12 additional schools to be ready by the start of the next academic year in September. He also pointed to significant spending planned for water and wastewater networks.
Hassan emphasized the importance of the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products in marketing farmers’ produce, in addition to the recent tendering of the new central market, noting that both projects will add value to the agricultural sector across all northern governorates.
On infrastructure, the Prime Minister confirmed that the government will continue implementing the Irbid Ring Road project in phases, in cooperation with the private sector, and highlighted cooperation with the Irbid Development Corporation to rehabilitate Tal Irbid and establish a public park.
For his part, Director of the Royal Hashemite Court, Yousef Issawi, referred to the Royal Initiatives projects implemented in the governorate since 2006, with a total value of 68 million dinars across vital sectors, most notably education, youth, health, and social development. He added that productive projects have provided 1,950 job opportunities.
Issawi also pointed to the role of the eco-lodge in the Yarmouk Reserve, inaugurated on Tuesday, in promoting eco-tourism and marketing rural products for local communities, contributing to the creation of 50 job opportunities for residents of the Yarmouk and Umm Qais areas.
Irbid Governor Radwan Al-Atoum welcomed His Majesty’s visit, expressing appreciation for His Majesty’s emphasis on developing economic, social, and service sectors and empowering youth.
Speakers from the audience praised His Majesty’s keenness on direct communication with Jordanians and highlighted the various aspects of development witnessed in Irbid Governorate in the fields of education, culture, health, infrastructure and public services, industry, investment, agriculture, and women’s empowerment. They also underscored the importance of projects serving military retirees and veterans.
During the inauguration of Princess Basma Hospital prior to the meeting, His Majesty listened to a briefing by Minister of Health Ibrahim Al-Baddour, who explained that the hospital represents a key pillar in the state’s plan to modernize healthcare infrastructure.
The Minister noted that the hospital aims to provide advanced therapeutic and diagnostic services in accordance with the highest approved standards. The facility consists of nine floors and includes 504 beds, expandable in the future. He added that the total cost of constructing and equipping the hospital was nearly 100 million dinars, funded jointly by the government and the Saudi Fund for Development.
Princess Basma Hospital Director Ibrahim Al-Shahabat stated that the hospital is equipped with the latest technical and administrative systems aligned with global best practices in managing and operating healthcare facilities, which will enhance efficiency and ensure the highest levels of safety for patients and staff.
During His Majesty’s inauguration of the permanent exhibition for agricultural and rural products—launched in partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Irbid Development Corporation, and Greater Irbid Municipality at King Abdullah II Gardens—His Majesty listened to a briefing by the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board, Abdulraouf Al-Rawabdeh, on the exhibition’s role. Established with support from the Royal Hashemite Court as part of the Royal Initiatives, the exhibition aims to empower farmers, homemakers, and associations and assist them in marketing their products.
His Majesty toured the exhibition, which features local rural and food products, handicrafts, natural products, and traditional foods. He was briefed on the project’s impact by the Executive Director of the Irbid Development Corporation, Munther Al-Bataineh, who explained that the exhibition’s facilities cover an area of 4,500 square meters, including product display halls, warehouses, and conference and training workshop halls. He added that the exhibition provides direct and indirect job opportunities, opens new marketing horizons for producers, stimulates economic and tourism activity, and enhances the sustainability of the agricultural and rural food industries.
The meeting was attended by Director of His Majesty’s Office, Alaa Al-Bataineh, and His Majesty’s Advisor for Tribal Affairs, Kanaan Al-Balawi.
