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The effects of years of conflict and instability continue to be felt in Iraq. Despite the resumption of services in some health facilities, the country’s public health system is still far from making a full recovery.

While over 4.8 million people have managed to return home, around 1.1 million people remain displaced across 18 governorates*. Both returnees and those still displaced struggle to access basic services and job opportunities. 

The healthcare system is unable to fulfil the needs of people, which is exacerbated by the shortages of specialist healthcare workers and drugs.

Our teams in Iraq continue to bridge the most pressing gaps in access to healthcare in four governorates. We provide general, maternal, neonatal, and mental healthcare, in addition to surgical procedures, post-operative care and rehabilitation, treatment for non-communicable diseases and emergency medical care.

*http://iraqdtm.iom.int/ - IOM

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Our activities in 2023 in Iraq

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2023.

MSF in Iraq in 2023 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ran a diverse range of health services across Iraq in 2023, serving hard-to-reach communities and people affected by years of conflict.
Iraq IAR map 2023

Despite signs of improvements after decades of fighting and war, Iraq’s public healthcare sector is still recovering and there are significant needs, particularly in remote areas and regions directly affected by the recent conflict with the Islamic State group.

As international resources have been reallocated to other regions in the world and assistance has decreased in Iraq, the country is facing the major challenge of rebuilding and rehabilitating its infrastructure and public services, including public healthcare.

In 2023, MSF teams worked in 11 locations across Iraq, delivering a wide range of essential and specialised medical services to residents of areas with limited access to healthcare, as well as to people returning home after prolonged displacement in camps or other regions within the country.

Our activities included maternal, paediatric and neonatal services, emergency medical care, sexual and reproductive healthcare, specialised orthopaedic and obstetric surgery, comprehensive post-surgical rehabilitation, treatment for non-communicable diseases, and mental health support. In addition, we supported healthcare facilities across Iraq with donations of medical supplies and technical training for staff, and strengthened local health authorities’ preparedness for emergencies.

We also continued to assist the National Tuberculosis Institute with the administration of oral treatment regimens for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

During the year, we organised several referrals for Iraqi patients requiring specialist surgical care to MSF’s reconstructive surgery hospital in Amman, Jordan.

 

In 2023
 
IRAQ - maternal health activities in Mosul - August 2019
Iraq

Mosul's expectant mothers just can't wait

Project Update 11 Sep 2019
 
Bushra
Iraq

Supporting people in Qayyarah

Project Update 12 Jul 2019
 
NFI distribution in Mosul's Old City
Iraq

MSF in Iraq Annual Report 2018

Report 14 Jun 2019
 
Treating Mosul’s wounded
Iraq

A year of post-operative care in Mosul

Project Update 10 Apr 2019
 
Sadr City: MSF’s work in one of Baghdad’s busiest hospitals
Iraq

Triaging patients in one of Baghdad's busiest emergency departments

Voices from the Field 2 Apr 2019
 
Collapsed building
Iraq

The aftermath of the conflict in Hawija: “My only hope is to get back to normal”

Project Update 26 Mar 2019
 
Tackling antibiotic resistance in Mosul
Antibiotic resistance

“Without urgent action, common infections and minor injuries could be deadly again”

Interview 17 Jan 2019
 
Tackling antibiotic resistance in Mosul
Iraq

The invisible burden of antibiotic resistance in Mosul

Project Update 17 Jan 2019
 
Tackling antibiotic resistance in Mosul
Iraq

“Over a third of our patients in East Mosul show antibiotic resistance”

Voices from the Field 17 Jan 2019

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13 June 2018