Jordan: Requirements and procedures for obtaining medical reports, particularly after being treated for an injury, including who can obtain them and whether they can be obtained from abroad (2013-November 2016)
The official website of the "Jordanian e-Government" provides a webpage with instructions on how to obtain medical reports, and states that civilians can obtain medical reports by providing a [translation] "medical report application form" to the "Patient Registry" (Jordan n.d.). Following that, the website instructions states: "visit the accounting department [for payment of fees]" (Jordan n.d.). According to the website, "[t]he Patient Registry sends the application form together with the medical file to the doctor to write the report" and "[t]he report is delivered to the applicant" (ibid.). The same source adds that fees to obtain a medical report for civilians are five Jordanian dinars [approximately C$9.6] (ibid.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Information on who can obtain medical reports, including from abroad, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
The Jordan Times, an English-language daily Jordanian newspaper, reports in a 2014 article that medical reports are "easily" obtainable for "fake injuries" (The Jordan Times 2 Nov. 2014). According to the article, individuals who cause a quarrel or accident are able to obtain medical reports in the same way as actual victims, and do so in order to extort money from the victims (ibid.). The article explains that "some medical reports are obtained unlawfully through pulling some strings," and adds that, according to the Head of the emergency department at Al Bashir Hospital, "[e]ven if doctors found the 'report seeker' healthy, not suffering from trauma or injuries, they cannot mention in the medical report that the patient is 'free from any illness or trauma' if the patient complains of any 'fabricated' pain, to avoid being sued in case future complications occur" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Jordan. N.d. The Official Site of the Jordanian e-Government. "Instructions to Obtain a Medical Report for Civilians." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 21 Nov. 2016]
The Jordan Times. 2 November 2014. Dana Al Emam. "Victims of Attacks Face Legal Dilemma when Assailants Easily Obtain Medical Reports for Fake Injuries." [Accessed 10 Nov. 2016]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Two doctors in Amman; Jordan – Embassy in Ottawa, Ministry of Health; Jordan Hospital; Jordan Hospital Association; Jordan Medical Association; Jordan Medical Council; King Abdullah University Hospital; Legal Aid Jordan; Private Hospitals Association; The Specialty Hospital.
Internet sites, including: Amman Daily News; AmmanToday.com; Ammon News; Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Human Rights Watch; IRIN; Jordan Radio and Television Corporation; Health Care Accreditation Council; Petra News; UN – Refworld; US – Department of State, Embassy in Jordan.