The government is establishing new nursing colleges and encouraging students to specialize in this field by offering incentives for trained nurses and giving priority in employment for both male and female Jordanian nurses. The Ministry of Health operates two colleges for nursing and mid-wifery and two institutes for paramedical professions. It also sponsors numerous medical students in Jordanian universities and abroad. Two out of three Jordanian women have used some form of contraceptive. In the last two decades, Jordan's improving health situation has been accompanied by a growing awareness of the benefits of family planning.
Recent trends point to an increase in numbers of patients using public sector health facilities.
Jordan's challenging economy is forcing some people who could previously afford private medicine to turn to the state. Fifty-eight private and public centers throughout the country care for and rehabilitate the handicapped. Aside from the medical aspect, as with many other societies, people's attitudes must change radically before the problems of the handicapped can be understood and firmly dealt with. There is a dire shortage of financial resources, trained health personnel and therapeutic equipment needed for the handicapped. A challenging economy, and changing social traditions and norms, are altering this situation.