HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein Patronizes the Launch of the National Dialogue on Alzheimer’s Disease at Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein, “Patron of Nursing and Midwifery in the Eastern Mediterranean Region” and President of the Jordanian Nursing Council, the National Dialogue on Alzheimer’s Disease in Jordan was held on April 29, 2025, at Al-Ahliyya Amman University. The event was organized in cooperation between the Jordanian Nursing Council and the University’s Faculty of Nursing and brought together high-ranking officials and experts in the healthcare sector. The dialogue aimed to highlight the importance of providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s in Jordan and to guide the development of policies and action plans that serve those affected by the disease. The event was marked by the distinguished presence of HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein, alongside H.E. Minister of Health Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, H.E. Prof. Dr. Rowaida Al-Ma’ayta, H.E. Reem Abu Hassan, President of the Alzheimer’s Care Association, Dr. Hani Al-Nawafleh, Secretary-General of the Jordanian Nursing Council, Dr. Barq Al-Dmour, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Development, and Prof. Sari Hamdan, President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, in addition to several deans of nursing faculties, nursing directors, and representatives of health institutions from across the Kingdom. The event began with welcoming remarks from Prof. Sari Hamdan, who reaffirmed the university’s continued collaboration with the Jordanian Nursing Council to develop policies that serve this segment of society and to encourage researchers to focus on the care of Alzheimer’s patients. H.E. Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, Minister of Health, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to elderly care, particularly for Alzheimer’s patients, noting the focus on primary healthcare for early diagnosis and prevention. He stressed the need to raise awareness among healthcare professionals on how to properly deal with Alzheimer’s patients, especially given the projected 1% annual increase in cases. He also highlighted the importance of establishing a national registry to track cases geographically and to build a strategic plan for managing them. Dr. Hani Al-Nawafleh, Secretary-General of the Jordanian Nursing Council, noted that under the guidance of HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein, the Council is working to enhance the role of nursing and to train specialized professionals. He announced the launch of a new specialization: Geriatric Nursing Care. He added that statistics indicate a growing number of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide, with approximately 55 million people affected globally, around 3 million in the Middle East and North Africa, and about 31,000 in Jordan in 2023. Al-Nawafleh emphasized that the increasing number of Jordanians aged 65 and above requires a swift and comprehensive national response, including policy reforms, infrastructure, healthcare improvements, and capacity-building efforts. H.E. Reem Abu Hassan, President of the Alzheimer’s Care Association, called for the creation of a dedicated fund for Alzheimer’s care and underscored the need for collaboration across all sectors. Dr. Barq Al-Dmour, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Development, stated that the Ministry offers free services to underprivileged elderly individuals through senior care homes and provides healthcare services in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Following the opening remarks, attendees participated in the first discussion session, moderated by H.E. Prof. Dr. Rowaida Al-Ma’ayta, with the participation of H.E. Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, H.E. Reem Abu Hassan, and Dr. Barq Al-Dmour. The session focused on ways to enhance the quality of care provided to Alzheimer’s patients. The second panel discussion, titled “Alzheimer’s Between Science and Practice,” featured expert insights from Dr. Muna Al-Nsour (Technical Affairs Advisor to the Nursing Council, Board Member of the Alzheimer’s Care Association, and a faculty member at the University), Ms. Jihan Al-Qrayouti (Director of the Nursing Directorate at the Ministry of Health), Dr. Lana Al-Halasa (Consultant in Family and Geriatric Medicine at the Jordan University Hospital), Dr. Andaleeb Abu Kamel (Faculty Member at Al-Zaytoonah University), and Ms. Lynn Al-Madanat (Board Member of the Jordanian Alzheimer’s Association). At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants emphasized the importance of societal partnerships to raise awareness of the disease and the urgent need to develop a comprehensive national strategy to enhance the care system. This includes reviewing relevant legislation, providing comprehensive health insurance that covers Alzheimer’s medications and treatments, establishing a national Alzheimer’s registry under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, improving service quality, and advancing research in the field. In closing, Prof. Iman Al-Nazli, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, expressed her gratitude to all participants and organizers, expressing hope that the recommendations made during the dialogue will represent a qualitative leap in Alzheimer’s care in Jordan.