Health Centers

MAP Jordan currently operates three medical centres in Hiteen, Jerash and Talbieh refugee camps.

Hiteen medical centre was established in 1990 and is MAP’s first medical project. While Jerash [Gaza] refugee camp’s medical centre was established 10 years later in 2000. In both centres’ administrative personnel, general doctors, specialists, nurses and technicians are predominantly from within the refugee camps and surrounding areas.

The medical centre in Hiteen/Schniller serves a population of 125,000 most of whom live under the poverty line. 97% of families living within the camp are displaced Palestinians. On the other hand, Jerash Refugee camp has a population of approximately 37,000 and is considered the worst camp in terms of poverty and infrastructure services compared to other camps in Jordan. The Talbieh Refugee camp, on the other hand, hosts a population of 25000 people.

A typical household in Palestinian refugee camps has a family size of 6 - 10 members and usually includes 3 generations, adding to the burden on families. In regards to Palestinians who fled Gaza in 1967 and currently reside in Jerash refugees camp, only 6% were granted temporary Jordanian national numbers, while 94% of the population of Jerash refugee camp remain stateless, and not entitled to access to public healthcare, making them vulnerable to illnesses and ignorance considering their limited financial capability to access the private medical sector.

The refugee camp residents face a spectrum of health issues from communicable to chronic diseases that require lifelong care such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. With shrinking funds for the health services provided by UNRWA, Palestinian refugee camps are struggling to keep abreast of health issues faced, hence the desperate need for NGOs such as MAP to take on the responsibility for providing a range of preventive and medicinal health services.