Dr. Hazem Al-Qaralleh, the head of the media committee at the Jordanian Medical Association, stated that the Association has decided not to grant non-Jordanian general practitioners with no national identification numbers a license to practice their profession in Jordan.

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Al-Qaralleh added to statements to “Roya” that the decision was made with the aim of reducing unemployment rates among Jordanian doctors and opening up opportunities for them to work in the private sector.

The decision exempted certain categories such as individuals from the Gaza Strip, the children of Jordanian women, and doctors who have been residents in Jordan for more than 10 years. He clarified that the prohibition includes working in private clinics or private and public hospitals.

When asked about violators, Al-Qaralleh stated that the role of the association involves forming investigation committees, which refer cases to disciplinary committees. These committees make decisions ranging from imposing fines to referring cases to the public prosecutor's office, within the jurisdiction of the disciplinary council according to the severity of the violation.

He pointed out that approximately 3,500 doctors graduate annually in Jordan, while the local market accommodates around 1,200, with 500 to 600 doctors employed by the Ministry of Health, and 500 to 600 doctors in university, military, and private hospitals.

The remaining doctors are left without job opportunities, forcing them to seek unpaid specialization programs, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate among doctors - according to Al-Qaralleh.

Al-Qaralleh noted that there are approximately 23,000 students studying medicine in Jordan and another 20,000 studying abroad, totaling 43,000 students. The Jordanian Medical Association has reached 43,000 members since its establishment.