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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
 
Zummar Maternity / IPD - March 2017
Iraq

Stabilising emergencies in a pocket of safety

Project Update 3 Apr 2017
 
Mosul : Civilians caught in crossfire
Iraq

“Yesterday, it was calm; we only received 20 war-wounded patients”

Voices from the Field 22 Mar 2017
 
Mosul : Civilians caught in crossfire
Iraq

Thousands of wounded and sick coming from western Mosul

Press Release 22 Mar 2017
 
Medical care on the frontline - North Syria
Photo Story

Bringing aid close to the frontline

8 Mar 2017
Photo Story
 
Yousef from Iraq
Jordan

A new life for war-wounded Iraqis

Project Update 27 Feb 2017
 
Iraq

Assisting people displaced from Hawija

Voices from the Field 9 Feb 2017
 
Erbil Iraq - Debaga Camp and Mobile Clinic
Iraq

MSF assists traumatised people from Mosul

Project Update 10 Jan 2017
 
Mobile clinic in Borgulia, Tal Afar district, Iraq
Iraq

New maternity clinic ensures women deliver safely in Tal Maraq in the northwestern district of Tal Afar

Project Update 4 Jan 2017
 
Newly renovated ICU Opens at Sulaymaniyah Emergency Hospital
Iraq

Newly renovated intensive care unit opens at Sulaymaniyah emergency hospital

Project Update 21 Nov 2016

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13 June 2018