AMMAN: The “Conference on the Role of Arab Migrant Health Professionals in Supporting Health Systems” concluded with the issuance of the Amman Declaration, which expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his royal patronage. The declaration emphasized the significance of utilizing the skills of Arab health professionals working abroad to strengthen healthcare sectors across the Arab world.
According to Jordan News Agency, the declaration, endorsed by Arab health ministers and conference participants, called for a comprehensive strategy to engage Arab health professionals abroad. It highlighted their potential to enhance healthcare services and suggested the creation of a centralized database to track these professionals, thereby facilitating their involvement in national and regional health initiatives. The expertise of these professionals is considered crucial for addressing challenges in areas such as humanitarian aid, emergency medicine, public health, medical training, and telemedicine.
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e declaration recognized Arab health professionals abroad as a critical resource and recommended a holistic approach to incorporate them into national healthcare development. It also addressed the global trend of health worker migration, noting it presents both challenges and opportunities, especially in achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals. Coordinated efforts were urged to mitigate the adverse effects of health worker shortages while leveraging the skills of migrant professionals for regional healthcare improvement.
The document called for enhanced regulation of health worker migration and strategies for repatriation, advocating for increased cooperation among Arab states to implement policies that develop and retain healthcare talent. Arab health ministries were encouraged to design incentives for migrant professionals to return home, focusing on improving healthcare services, building capacity, and advancing scientific research.
Conference organizers commended the effort
s of the Jordanian Ministry of Health and other Arab health ministries, along with international organizations like the World Health Organization, in ensuring the event’s success. The declaration proposed that the conference should be held regularly under the Arab League, in collaboration with regional and international health organizations, to maximize the benefits of health worker migration for Arab healthcare systems.