KHCF Launches Policy Paper on Enhancing the Rights of Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers
Amman, July 30, 2025 – The King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, launched a policy paper aimed at highlighting the challenges faced by cancer patients and their caregivers in relation to job security. The paper presents practical recommendations to enhance their rights within the framework of Jordanian labor and social security laws.
The launch event was attended by Mrs. Nisreen Qatamish, Director General of (KHCF), and Dr. Asem H. Mansour, CEO of the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC).
The policy paper emphasized the importance of developing national legislation and policies to ensure protection for this group, by adopting clear procedures that include protecting cancer patients and their caregivers from dismissal or discrimination, providing them with a supportive work environment during and after treatment, and safeguarding their labor and social rights to ensure a dignified life. This includes humanizing existing laws to accommodate the circumstances of cancer patients and caregivers during the treatment period, through flexible and sufficient leave policies that can extend up to six months or more when necessary, and allowing unused sick leave to be carried over.
The paper also stressed the need to prohibit health-related discrimination in the workplace and prevent any bias in hiring, promotion, or wages, in addition to offering comprehensive financial and insurance support and expanding the scope of social protection to include cancer patients more fairly and sustainably.
In her remarks during the session, Mrs. Nisreen Qatamish stated:
"We need to institutionalize the protection of the rights of cancer patients and their caregivers in the workplace, through clear and fair policies and legislation that take into account the interests of both patients and employers."
The session included a panel discussion that covered the key issues raised in the paper, with participation from experts in labor, health, and legal fields. The proposed recommendations were reviewed and implementation mechanisms discussed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The event was widely attended, with representation from government entities, policymakers, NGOs, media outlets, the private sector, human rights activists, as well as individuals with lived experience with cancer—patients, survivors, their families—and cancer patient associations.