The Kingdom of Jordan recently opened its first advanced nuclear medicine diagnostic centre in a public hospital with IAEA support, significantly increasing access to diagnostic services for cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
Through the IAEA flagship Rays of Hope initiative, PET-CT equipment was provided to the Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine Hospital at Al-Bashir under a cost-sharing arrangement with the Jordanian Government and the United States of America. The new equipment will significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities in the country, enabling early detection and improved cancer management and patient outcomes.
Al-Bashir is the only public hospital in Jordan with a nuclear medicine department, offering integrated services for cancer patients. However, until recently, over 500 patients a year were referred to private institutions if they required advanced diagnostic services. “The introduction of the PET-CT in Al-Bashir is an important step toward enhancing the healthcare system in Jordan, as it will reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for such advanced tests, saving time, effort and costs for patients and their families," said Jordanian Minister of Health Firas Al-Hawari at the inauguration ceremony for the new equipment in February.
