Jordan is to launch a Healthcare ICT Task Force

Jordan is to launch a Healthcare ICT Task Force, to improve the uptake of IT in healthcare, and to boost local IT companies providing healthcare solutions.

The Jordan Healthcare ICT Task Force is a collaboration between the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), and Jordan's Information and Communications Technology Association (Intaj), with support from Cisco. The task force will provide an open forum for Intaj member companies, to promote knowledge sharing, marketing and collaboration between member companies, and to create a point of reference for global and regional leaders wishing to partner with Jordan's Healthcare ICT cluster.

The taskforce was announced by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and John Chambers, chairman and CEO of Cisco, at the World Economic Forum Jordan 2011 at the Dead Sea.

The task force has a number of initiatives under consideration, including assessment of Jordan's healthcare delivery system, and developing mentorship programmes and boot camps to link Jordanian companies with global healthcare ICT brands.

The task force will also look at Electronic Health Solutions' (EHS) Hakeem national e-Health initiative, which has aimed to computerize Jordan's public health sector.

Mohammad Tahboub, chairman of the Information Technology Association of Jordan, Inj@j commented: "The taskforce will be focused on achieving multiple objectives, including rapidly replicating the Hakeem programme nationwide and positioning Jordan as a regional hub for ICT solutions in the healthcare sector."

John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco said: "As a worldwide leader in networking, Cisco is well positioned to improve the future of healthcare through networked technologies that transform how people connect, access information, and collaborate. Our goal is for Cisco to lead the transformation in the healthcare industry's complex transition. Our strategy is to be an essential partner and enabler for the entire healthcare ecosystem by working with customers and innovators to enhance the patient experience, streamline processes, and provide innovative technologies that empower care team collaboration and business efficiency from end-to-end. We strongly believe that through our collaboration with Intaj the Jordan Healthcare ICT Task Force will enable accelerated growth of healthcare technology firms in Jordan."

At the WEF meeting, Chambers was also presented with the Al Hussein Decoration for Distinguished Contribution of the First Degree by His Majesty King Abdullah II, in recognition of his continuous efforts and commitment to strengthen Jordan's education and ICT sectors.