His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to Karak Public Hospital to check on health services provided to citizens.

King Abdullah, who toured the different wards to witness patients' conditions first hand, said there were some loopholes and problems impeding the provision of health services and treatment to patients that must be solved as soon as possible.

During the visit, His Majesty issued directives for the speedy implementation of planned expansion work on the hospital.

The King said that he will personally follow up with the government on the expansion process of the hospital and the discussions of health conditions in the Kingdom.

Surrounded by patients in the congested wards, His Majesty listened to their viewpoints on the hospital services and their suffering due to the overcrowded conditions and the shortage of specialized doctors.

Addressing the patients and doctors, King Abdullah said he would hold a meeting with government officials soon to discuss means to solve health problems in the Kingdom.

One of the patients, Naeim Shamaileh, who has been suffering with a fractured femur (thigh bone) for 10 days and needs to have a rod placed inside the bone, asked for the King's assistance.

King Abdullah immediately issued directives to send him to the King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman for treatment.

He also gave instructions for five other cases to be transferred to the centre.

The Jordan Times