Project News

A revisit to Jordan

Short-term expert: Atsuko Imoto

It's my third time to work in Jordan and 6 years have passed since my previous visit. When arriving at the Amman Queen Alia International Airport this time, I thought that I had come to a different country because the airport had undergone a dramatic renovation into a modern and gorgeous airport terminal. Although I felt the impact of change at the airport, once I left it, I saw the unchanged scenery of desert through the window of the taxi. As the taxi came closer to the city area of Amman, the capital of Jordan, I found newly constructed tower buildings. The number of cars has increased and heavy traffic congestion has occurred, which would indicate that rapid urbanization is proceeding here much the same as is seen in other developing countries.

I'm in charge of training management for the staff of the Ministry of Health as a short-term expert this time. In 1997, JICA started the first project in the field of reproductive health/family planning in Gour Safi of the Karak governorate, located in the southern region of Jordan. A large proportion of the Gour Safi are poor. In phase 2 of the project, the target area was expanded from Gour Safi to include the entire Karak governorate, and further to include all governorates in the south region in phase 3. The new project targeted the north region. In this way, JICA has provided a long-term support for approximately 20 years. I began working with the project in phases 2 and 3, and further had the good fortune to participate in this historic project this time. I was happy to see that the same staffs were still working in the concerned reproductive health directorate of the Ministry of Health and we celebrated our reunion after a long time.

I was impressed by the earnest attitude of the staff and their high expectations for the success of the project while I was there. These attitudes are based on their confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and strong pride above all else gained from the previous project in the south region working in close cooperation with JICA. I often saw them telling the staff of the Ministry of Health in the northern directorates and at headquarters about the previous project activities with pride and confidence. I did not think at that time that they had such strong motivation. Did I not recognize them at that time? Or have these attitudes been developed as time went by? I would like to ask them when I visit next time. In any case, I was inspired by them and they gave me a supportive push on the back.

The unstable condition in the surrounding countries continues, accordingly, Jordan is facing more difficulties to keep its stability. Even so, I would like to be involved in helping this country as much as possible.

Supervisor meeting (Ministry of Health in Amman on November 7)

Practice of palpation for breast cancer in reproductive health training (Irbid on November 16)

Instruction of breastfeeding by a counterpart in reproductive health training (Mafraq on November 24)