Jordan | SAMS USA

Jordan

Jordan

Delivering equitable, integrated care for refugees and vulnerable communities through health access, mental health, rehabilitation, and capacity building.

SAMS has been registered and operating in Jordan since 2015, delivering no-cost, high-quality healthcare and psychosocial support to refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. Our work encompasses primary and secondary health services, dental and ophthalmology care, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), physical rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.

Refugees in Jordan are encouraged to access public health services, but they continue to face cost-related barriers, particularly for mental health and specialized care. Even with subsidized rates, many essential services remain out of reach. This results in harmful coping strategies, such as skipping appointments, stopping medications, or going into debt to afford care.

SAMS Jordan’s response is grounded in national coordination frameworks, aligning with the Jordan Response Plan (JRP) and the National Social Protection Strategy (2019–2025). We work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local partners to ensure accessible, relevant, and sustainable interventions.

Impact in Jordan

Annual and cumulative achievements

SAMS Activities in Jordan

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

SAMS provides MHPSS services through direct clinical care, outreach, and capacity building. Services include:

One-on-one psychotherapy and medication management
Group-based support for shared challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, and family stress
Family assessments and referral pathways
Ongoing training for psychology students, social workers, and frontline community actors

Since March 2019, SAMS has delivered MHPSS services to over 41,000 individuals.

Helping Hand for Adolescents and Caregivers

Launched in 2022, the Helping Hand program supports adolescents (ages 12–17) through a three-month, blended learning model. Based on cognitive behavioral principles, the program combines digital learning with group support to reduce anxiety and build resilience.

SAMS also offers Parenting Skills sessions, supporting caregivers to improve communication and build stronger emotional bonds with their children. A pilot caregiver curriculum will launch in 2025.

Zaatari Medical Center

Since 2017, SAMS has operated the Zaatari Medical Center inside Za’atari Camp, providing:

All services are coordinated with the Ministry of Health and UNHCR, including vaccine administration five days per week by licensed nursing staff.

Physical Rehabilitation Services

SAMS supports MoH clinics in Wadi Elsier and Al-Hashmi Al-Shamali with integrated rehabilitation and MHPSS services:

Since March 2019, SAMS has delivered MHPSS services to over 41,000 individuals.

Medical Missions and Surgeries

Since 2015, SAMS has conducted 32 medical missions, serving over 2.3 million beneficiaries, in Jordan with Syrian, Jordanian, and international volunteers. These include:

SAMS Medical Missions in Jordan

Number of SAMS Doctors

45

The April medical mission delivered 2,617 healthcare services across Jordan, including 2,281 consultations and 336 surgical procedures. A pre-screening process reviewed 643 applications, referring 120 patients for specialist evaluation. Mental health referrals reached 49 individuals. SAMS also trained 450 medical students from Hashemite University in practical humanitarian medicine.

Number of SAMS Doctors

53

This comprehensive mission screened 387 patients and selected 208 for surgery, serving a total of 3,094 beneficiaries. Free medical days were conducted in 21 locations, including refugee camps. SAMS also ran a dental awareness day in Al-Zaatari Camp and trained 245 medical students through a series of lectures at Prince Hamza Hospital.

Number of SAMS Doctors

41

SAMS provided 2,778 healthcare services, including 344 surgeries and 2,434 consultations. The mission included dental outreach, 30 MHPSS referrals, and referrals for 700 ophthalmology cases to specialty care in Amman. 142 medical students were trained through lectures and hands-on sessions.

Number of SAMS Doctors

6

This smaller mission focused on Al-Zaatari Camp and surrounding areas, delivering 91 surgeries across multiple specialties and running two clinics screening 33 patients. Despite logistical challenges, SAMS provided essential care and hands-on medical student training under restricted conditions.

Support for Chronic and Specialized Conditions

Retina Program

Ongoing treatment for 70 diabetic patients with retinopathy, including regular monitoring and access to Avastin injections and laser therapies.

Kidney Transplant Medication

Lifesaving medication, labs, and follow-up for transplant recipients—aimed at reducing mortality and improving long-term outcomes.

Cochlear Implant Program

Surgical and therapeutic intervention for children with profound hearing loss. SAMS has supported 11 children with surgery, speech therapy, and follow-up care.

Diabetes Support for Youth

In collaboration with Life for a Child, SAMS supports children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes. This includes:

SAMS Partners

palesthine

palmed academy

health care

muslim aid

gaza health

anera

Success Stories

Behind every program SAMS provides in Jordan are people whose lives have changed. These stories are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of accessible, compassionate care.

Reham’s Story: Stability Through Support

Reham, a 13-year-old girl living in Za’atari Camp, attends school regularly and excels in her studies, dreaming of one day becoming a doctor. But managing her type 1 diabetes without a glucometer made daily life dangerous—she often experienced diabetic comas at school or home due to inaccurate insulin doses. 

After learning about SAMS’s partnership with Life for a Child (LFAC), Reham visited the SAMS Medical Center in November 2024. She received a glucometer, test strips, lancets, and hands-on training for diabetes management. Since then, her condition has stabilized, her attendance has improved, and her confidence has grown. With ongoing follow-up from SAMS, Reham’s health and well-being continue to improve.

A Life Saved at the Right Time

A 7-year-old girl in Za’atari Camp arrived at the SAMS Medical Center with persistent abdominal pain, appetite loss, and repeated school absences. Her prior medical tests had shown no clear cause. During her exam, the SAMS doctor noted an acetone odor and tested her blood sugar—revealing a critically high level of 459 mg/dL.

Emergency coordination ensured she was transferred to a hospital outside the camp for one week of care. After recovery, she returned to the SAMS Medical Center to thank the staff. A follow-up plan was established with her mother, including regular monitoring and education on diabetes management. She now attends school regularly and has resumed a healthy daily routine.

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