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AL-Wahda Hospital
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

Why are we here?

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
 
Extending a helping hand: MSF supports local health facilities treating injured protesters in southern Iraq
Iraq

Extending a helping hand in Iraqi health facilities

Project Update 14 Feb 2020
 
MSF cares for wounded protesters in Baghdad
Iraq

Tuk-tuks, the ambulances of the nation

Voices from the Field 14 Jan 2020
 
MSF cares for wounded protesters in Baghdad
Iraq

Mending broken lives: treating wounded protesters in Baghdad

Project Update 10 Jan 2020
 
MSF Aden trauma hospital
Antibiotic resistance

Why bacteria love war-wounds

Project Update 18 Nov 2019
 
Khanaqin, Diyala Governorat, Iraq
Iraq

For displaced people in Iraq, going home seems impossible

Project Update 7 Nov 2019
 
Iraq - Newly arrived refugees from NE Syria
Iraq

Mental health issues emerge amongst people fleeing northeast Syria

Project Update 28 Oct 2019
 
Bardarash refugee camp
Iraq

MSF providing medical care in Iraq to people fleeing northeast Syria

Statement 21 Oct 2019
 
Mental Health testimonies
Mental health

The Yazidi - a community without hope

exposure.co 9 Oct 2019
 
Mental Health testimonies
Iraq

MSF warns of mental health crisis among Yazidis in Iraq

Press Release 4 Oct 2019

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13 June 2018