Amman: Minister of Health, Firas Hawari, on Thursday honored the inaugural cohort of participants in the Adult Critical Care fellowship program, a joint initiative by Jordan Medical Council (JMC) and Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program, which was conducted over two years, in collaboration with the Jordanian American Physicians Association, involved partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Jordan University Hospital, Royal Medical Services, and King Hussein Cancer Center. Hawari, who is also the JMC president, highlighted significance of this milestone in the council's history, underscoring its resilience amid challenges, primarily COVID-19 pandemic. The minister also underscored the council's "pivotal" role in shaping specialized healthcare training and assessments, which are "crucial" for ensuring success of medical professionals in critical care. Intensive care units (ICUs) are integral to hospitals wor ldwide, occupying about 15% of hospital beds and "effective" ICU management demands dedicated budgets and well-trained multidisciplinary teams proficient in advanced medical technologies, aligning with the latest scientific advancements, the minister pointed out. The cohort, comprised of 19 doctors including 1 Saudi national, passed "rigorous" training and examinations to earn the Jordanian Board certification. Their educational journey saw practical training sessions, field visits, and comprehensive case discussions encompassing critical care strategies and evidence-based medicine in adult and pediatric ICUs. Moving forward, Hawari emphasized that these trained professionals are poised to elevate healthcare standards across Jordan, supporting "strategic" initiatives like the virtual hospital and contributing "significantly" to the nation's healthcare landscape. Source: Jordan News Agency