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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 - Mental health care for Syrian refugees
Syria

It is difficult to have hope for the future when we don’t know what will happen

Voices from the Field 8 Oct 2013
 
MSB105 Iraq - Medical care for Syrian crossing the Iraqi Kurdistan border
Syria

MSF provides emergency care to families fleeing to Iraq

Project Update 2 Oct 2013
 
Iraq - Thousands of Syrians crossing the border into Iraqi Kurdistan
Syria

MSF provides healthcare to Syrians crossing into Iraqi Kurdistan

Project Update 23 Aug 2013
 
Iraq

Poor living conditions in Domeez camp put health of Syrian refugees at risk

Voices from the Field 15 May 2013
 
Iraq

Healing Iraqis: The challenges of providing mental health care in Iraq

Report 29 Apr 2013
 
Iraq

Mental healthcare helps Iraqis rebuild their lives

Press Release 29 Apr 2013
 
Iraq - Syrian refugees in Domeez camp
Iraq

Growing number of Syrian refugees in Domeez

Project Update 10 Apr 2013
 
Iraq - Dialysis in Kirkuk
Iraq

MSF completes dialysis unit support project in Kirkuk

Project Update 9 Jan 2013
 
Iraq

A different approach to mental health

Project Update 12 Dec 2012

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13 June 2018