His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday called for the country's health services to be upgraded to meet citizens' needs.

The King made his remarks at the National Centre for Diabetes and Endocrine and Genetic Diseases, where he unveiled a plaque marking the centre's official inauguration.

During his tour of the facility, the King said the health sector's top priority should be the implementation of the national health strategy, which he instructed the government to draw up in May 2006.

Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit told the King the government was proceeding with preparations for the strategy.

King Abdullah also said construction work on the public hospital in Zarqa, which will replace the current one, will start within two days.

He added that the cornerstone of the 400-bed facility will be laid later this month. The hospital is expected to be completed within three years.

Bakhit said designs for the expansion of the Karak Hospital have been completed and that work is expected start at the end of 2008, adding that the hospital has recently been fitted with all the necessary equipment to improve medical services until the expansion is completed.

During the King's visit, the centre's president, Kamel Ajlouni, reviewed the medical services offered and expressed hope that a hospital specialized in diabetes and endocrinology would be established in the Kingdom. He said the University of Jordan had expressed interest in providing a plot of land on its campus for such a facility, adding that it would cost around JD5 million.

The Jordan Times