2 CONTEXT ANALYSIS 2.4 LABOUR CONTEXT Health Care

There are 416 workers in the health care sector distributed between Ghor AsSafi Hospital (315 employees) and the area’s 7 health centres (101 employees) among which are 9 specialist doctors, 37 resident doctors, 27 general practitioners, 3 dentists, 22 midwives, 116 nurses and 10 pharmacists, the remaining staff work in complimentary roles [1,2]. Similar to the general educational staff situation, locals in the district expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of medical sufficient staff and health services provided. [3]

As of 2018, Ghor As-Safi hospital is receiving more over 35,000 patients per year, up from roughly 20,000 in 1998. [4] Yet, the number of doctors didn’t increase to accommodate the population growth but rather declined creating a greater problem in an already deteriorating area. This highlights the significance of giving doctors privileges so they are encouraged to work in the area.

[1] Department of Statistics, Ministry of Health workers according to hospital in 2021.

[2] Ministry of Health, Human cadres in health centres by region in 2021.

[3] https://www.almadenahnews.com/article/182669

[4] https://www.addustour.com/articles/723685

Ghor As-Safi Vocational Training Institute

There is a single Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in the Southern Jordan Valley, offering 8 different training programmes [1] and its goal goes beyond training and qualification to reach the point of marketing competencies and providing them with job opportunities in various work sectors.

Engineer Hassan Al-Houli, the centre’s director, said that the centre works with local businesses and farm owners to connect graduates with employment opportunities. He also notes that 15% of the Arab Potash Company’s staff are alumni of the centre. [2]

The centre graduates 240 trainees yearly with an overall success rate of 85%. [2] Its objective is for these young people to reach a point where they are qualified enough to find relevant careers. The centre also has a special unit to handle to follow up with graduates and update them with possible job opportunities.

Most of the students in the training centre are those with low academic grades, indicating that the enrolment of the outstanding students is rare. Parents also cannot afford to transport their children to vocational schools or the vocational training centre since buses only serve nearby areas.