๐ฅ Healthcare Overview
System: Universal (Ministry of Health for residents). Tourists can access public and private healthcare. Private hospitals in Amman are excellent โ Jordan is a major medical tourism destination. No health coverage for tourists.
Quality: โ โ โ โ โ (4/5)
Jordan has excellent private hospitals, particularly in Amman โ the King Hussein Cancer Center is internationally renowned. Public hospitals are available but private facilities offer better care and more English. Medical tourism is a major industry. Healthcare is significantly cheaper than Western countries.
๐ก Medical Tourism
Jordan is the Middle East's leading medical tourism destination โ particularly for cancer treatment (King Hussein Cancer Center), cardiac surgery, and cosmetic procedures. Costs are 30-60% lower than Western countries while quality is excellent.
๐จ Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas
Recommended facilities for travelers โ English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.
King Hussein Medical Center ๐ฃ๏ธ English spoken
๐ Near: Amman city center
๐ +962-6-580-8000
Major military hospital. Excellent care.
Jordan Hospital ๐ฃ๏ธ English spoken
๐ Near: Amman
๐ +962-6-560-8080
Private hospital. English widely spoken.
๐ Pharmacy Guide
Access: easy
Hours: Pharmacies are widely available throughout Jordan, especially in Amman. Most open 9am-9pm daily. Some 24-hour pharmacies in Amman. Look for 'ุตูุฏููุฉ' (pharmacy) signs. Pharmacy chains like Al-Manara are reliable.
Prescription rules: Prescription requirements vary. For controlled substances, a Jordanian prescription may be needed or your foreign prescription may be accepted with documentation. Carry your prescription and doctor's letter as backup.
Available Over-the-Counter
- ibuprofen
- paracetamol
- cold and flu remedies
- antihistamines
- antacids
- anti-diarrheals
- sun protection (essential โ Jordan is very sunny)
- first aid supplies
๐ฃ๏ธ Useful Pharmacy Phrases
๐ก Handy phrases at the pharmacy
- I need medicine for a headache: ุจุฏู ุฏูุง ููุตุฏุงุน (Biddi dawa lil-sudaa')
- I need a doctor: ุจุฏู ุฏูุชูุฑ (Biddi duktoor)
๐ก Tips
Many common OTC medications are available. Some prescription medications in Western countries may be available OTC in Jordan. Generic medications are common and affordable. Pharmacists in Amman often speak English. Jordanian pharmacies are well-stocked.
๐ช Pharmacy Chains You’ll See
Most pharmacies in this country are independent rather than chain-branded. Look for the universal pharmacy markers: a green cross sign in most of Europe and Latin America, a red ‘A’ (Apotheke) in German-speaking countries, or local-language signage like apteka, lรฉkárna, or farmacia.
๐ Common OTC Medications by Local Brand
Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Panadol
Panadol is the dominant brand throughout the Arab world. - ibuprofen → Brufen or Advil
Both available; Brufen is more common locally. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
Available OTC at most pharmacies.
๐ Medications & Restrictions
Carry a doctor's letter in English listing all medications with generic names. Keep medications in original packaging. For controlled substances, carry the original prescription. Declare all medications at customs.
Controlled / Restricted Substances
๐ซ Watch out for these
- โ ๏ธ Diazepam (Valium) and benzodiazepines โ Controlled. Requires prescription or documentation. Carry your foreign prescription and doctor's letter in English. Quantities for personal use are permitted with documentation.
- โ ๏ธ Codeine-containing medications โ Controlled. Requires prescription. Bring your documentation.
- โ ๏ธ Tramadol โ Controlled opioid. Requires prescription. Bring your documentation.
- โ ๏ธ ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) โ Controlled. Requires documentation and possibly special permission. Contact the Jordanian Food and Drug Administration or your embassy before traveling.
- ๐ซ Medical cannabis โ Cannabis is illegal in Jordan. Do not bring any cannabis products. CBD products with no THC may be legal but are in a gray area โ avoid bringing them.
๐ฆท Dental Care
Availability: Good dental care at affordable prices. Jordan is a medical tourism destination.
Typical cost range: JOD 15-40 ($20-55) for consultation; JOD 30-80 ($40-110) for fillings
Amman has modern dental clinics. Many dentists speak English.
๐ฆท Dental emergency?
Hospital emergency departments handle dental emergencies.
๐ก๏ธ Travel Insurance
โ ๏ธ Strongly recommended
Average cost: $30-50/week
๐ก Tip
Jordan is affordable for healthcare โ private hospital consultations cost 20-50 JOD ($28-70 USD). The King Hussein Cancer Center is world-class. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is still recommended, especially for adventure activities (Wadi Rum, Petra hiking) where injuries can be serious.
๐ How to File an Insurance Claim
Jordanian hospitals provide documentation in English and Arabic. Keep all receipts. Private hospitals may require upfront payment.
๐ต Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs
Estimated cash prices (USD):
- Doctor visit (private clinic): $10-30
- ER visit (no admission): $40-150
- Overnight hospital stay: $60-250
- Ambulance call-out: $20-80
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.
๐ Medical Evacuation
Local hospitals handle the vast majority of cases โ air evacuation is rarely needed for tourists. If a condition exceeds local capacity: Dubai is the primary medical hub for the broader Middle East and North Africa.
Primary destination: Dubai
Secondary destination: Istanbul or Athens
Typical cost band: $30,000-90,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS โ compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.
๐ Vaccinations
Recommended
- ๐ก Hepatitis A
- ๐ก Hepatitis B
- ๐ก Typhoid
- ๐ก MMR
- ๐ก Tetanus
No mandatory vaccinations for most travelers. Ensure routine vaccinations are current. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended due to food preparation differences.
๐ฐ Water & Food Safety
โ ๏ธ Use caution โ bottled water recommended in some areas
Tap water is technically available but not reliably safe to drink. Drink bottled water โ it's widely available and inexpensive. In Aqaba, seawater is safe for swimming but don't drink tap-equivalent water.
Food Safety Tips
Jordanian food is generally safe. Mansaf (lamb in yogurt sauce) and mezze are safe at reputable restaurants. Avoid raw salads in cheaper establishments. Amman's restaurants maintain good hygiene standards. Be cautious with food from street vendors.
๐ง Mental Health Resources
๐ Crisis Line: 110 (Family Protection Department)
International crisis support: findahelpline.com โ worldwide directory of crisis lines
English-speaking therapists: Available in Amman.
Mental health services limited but growing. English-speaking therapists in Amman.
โฟ Accessibility
Accessibility is limited. Amman is hilly with uneven sidewalks. Petra is extremely challenging for wheelchair users.
Hospital accessibility: Major hospitals are accessible.
Accessible transport: Limited public transport. Taxis are the main option.
๐ก Accessibility tips
Petra's main trail has some wheelchair access with assistance but the site is mostly inaccessible for wheelchair users. Wadi Rum desert camps vary in accessibility.
๐ซ COVID & Respiratory Illness
Entry requirements: No COVID requirements.
Mask policy: No mandates.
Testing availability: Available at hospitals and clinics.
Jordan removed all COVID restrictions.
๐จ Emergency Contacts
๐ Emergency: 911 (general emergency), 193 (civil defense/fire), 191 (police)
๐ Sources & References
Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.
- CDC Travelers' Health
- Jordan Ministry of Health
- Jordan Food and Drug Administration
- US Embassy Amman
โ ๏ธ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.