The Ministry of Health (MOH) is leading the implementation of the Family Health Team (FHT) Approach in Jordan, with technical support from the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) through its training arm, the International Academy of Public Health (IAPH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from the European Union (EU).
As part of this national effort, EMPHNET, through IAPH, has trained more than 300 health professionals through the Integrated Primary Health Care (IPHC) Professional Diploma, helping build the multidisciplinary workforce required to deliver integrated, coordinated, and people-centered primary health care services.
Since its launch, the diploma has enrolled 315 professionals from across the primary health care workforce, reflecting the multidisciplinary approach that underpins effective primary health care. Participants include 60 general physicians, 43 family physicians, 109 nurses, 40 pharmacists, 38 midwives, 11 dentists, and 14 professionals from other disciplines, including social work, nutrition, and medical laboratory sciences.
The participants have successfully completed the program, expanding Jordan's pool of trained health professionals with the competencies needed to strengthen team-based care and improve the quality and continuity of primary health care services.
The six-month Integrated Primary Health Care (IPHC) Professional Diploma combines clinical practice with essential public health principles through a multidisciplinary curriculum covering health promotion, disease prevention, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, teamwork, and patient-centered care. The diploma is accredited by the Jordan Medical Council, the Jordan Nursing Council, and the Higher Health Council.
The diploma also supports implementation of the Family Health Team (FHT) Approach by preparing physicians, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, dentists, and other health professionals to provide more coordinated, integrated, and people-centered primary health care services.
Participants have described the diploma as a practical learning experience that strengthened their professional practice and reinforced the importance of multidisciplinary care.
"The Family Health Team Approach was an outstanding experience. It placed the patient at the center of care, with each family assigned a physician to ensure continuous follow-up for people living with chronic conditions through regular assessments, monitoring, essential investigations, mental health screening, and patient satisfaction evaluation. I am proud to have been part of this approach and this team." — Dr. Ahmad Al Kurdi, IPHC Professional Diploma participant
Another participant highlighted how the program strengthened teamwork and improved the quality of care delivered in daily practice.
"This was a rich learning experience that deepened my understanding of working within a Family Health Team and provided practical skills that improved my professional performance and the quality of care I provide. My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this program." — Dr. Adnan Alaghwat, IPHC Professional Diploma participant
The success of the IPHC Professional Diploma demonstrates the value of sustained collaboration between national institutions and international partners in strengthening the health workforce. Through the continued partnership of the Ministry of Health, EMPHNET and IAPH, WHO, and the European Union, the initiative is helping develop multidisciplinary primary health care teams equipped to deliver high-quality, people-centered care across Jordan.
