Amman: Minister of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Badour, announced the implementation of a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing patient waiting periods for MRI appointments in Jordan’s government hospitals, starting Monday, September 1, 2025.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry released a statement on Saturday detailing the plan, which aims to increase the number of monthly MRI tests in five major hospitals currently experiencing overcrowding and delays. Dr. Badour identified these hospitals as Al-Bashir Hospital, Al-Hussein New Salt Hospital, Zarqa Governmental Hospital, Princess Basma Hospital, and Karak Governmental Hospital.
The minister highlighted that MRI scans will increase from 5,700 to approximately 13,000 per month, representing an increase of over 7,000 images. To facilitate this expansion, work schedules will be adjusted to include evening shifts (Shift B) for radiology technicians. Additionally, Saturday shifts will be introduced in nine hospitals across the country, including the five previously mentioned facilities, as well as the hospitals of Tutanji, Muath Bin Jabal, Ramtha, and Nadim, to distribute patients more effectively.
Moreover, some hospitals will start conducting tests at 6:00 AM, a move aimed at boosting operational capacity and reducing waiting times. Dr. Badour emphasized that these efforts will address the issue of prolonged MRI waiting lists and lead to improvements in diagnostic speed over the coming months.
Dr. Badour also noted that the ministry plans to conduct periodic reviews to ensure that the goals are met, as part of a policy to regulate testing requests based on precise medical priorities.