Jordan Times
Monday, April 18, 2005
Programme seeks to improve
village residents' quality of life
AMMAN (JT) — A programme seeking to improve the quality of life for local
village residents was renewed for another three years on Sunday.
Initiated in 1996, the “Healthy Villages Programme” began in two villages and
has since expanded to include 30 villages.
Major goals of the programme include expanding primary healthcare services,
empowering women, supporting youth and securing a healthy and safe environment.
The programme was renewed under an agreement signed by the Ministry of Health
and the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) with the support of the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
It is focusing on including local residents from selected underprivileged
communities in the process of developing primary healthcare and financial and
social services, according to Nawal Kreishan, director of Health Villages
Directorate in the ministry.
Programme organisers will offer guidance while facilitating services to support
the residents, and following the training of local inhabitants would assume
primary roles in conducting surveys to estimate family needs in their
communities, Kreishan added.
The WHO will fund the programme and offer technical support, while loans will be
extended through the ACC.
A council from each village's development committee will select the
underprivileged families to receive loans.
The programme was initiated by the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean regional office
as one of the organisation's Community Based Initiatives, which also include
“Healthy Cities Programme,” “Basic Development Needs” and “Women in Health and
Development.”
The agreement is effective for three years with the possibility of renewal,
Kreishan said, pointing out that the ministry looks into expanding the programme
and developing its plans every two years.