Support for Iraqi healthcare
Today, Iraq faces real difficulties in trying to restore its healthcare system. The biggest obstacle remains the current security situation. The violence in Iraq is not only causing damage to hospitals and preventing essential supplies getting through, but is also forcing many doctors and nurses to flee their homes. Therefore the priority of the Iraqi government is rightly, to end the violence.
Many of the challenges long pre-date the 2003 conflict. In the early 1980s, Iraq enjoyed some of the best healthcare in the Middle East. But decades of conflict and mismanagement meant that by 2000, international health indicators for Iraq were comparable with some of the poorest countries in Africa. Under-five mortality had increased from 50 per 1,000 in 1990 to 133 per 1,000 in 2001. One in four children under five was chronically malnourished. Hospitals, clinics and water and sanitation plants suffered from chronic lack of maintenance.
It will take significant new investment over a number of years for Iraq’s health systems to provide the quality of service expected in developed countries. Iraq’s five year reconstruction strategy launched in March 2007 identifies the main priorities as access to medicines and immunisation programmes, prevention of communicable diseases, better public health management, and improved equipment and facilities. With substantial wealth from its oil resources, the Government of Iraq should be in a position to fund much of the necessary investment to tackle these problems itself. Much of DFID’s work with the Government aims to build its capacity to help unlock these resources and to channel funding to provincial authorities who can then buy drugs, fund hospitals and deliver services.
At present, the UN and World Bank Trust Funds are spending over $120 million to repair hospitals and train staff. Since 2003 more than 1,000 healthcare facilities have been rehabilitated and more than 6,000 health care workers trained. There has been a decline in the prevalence of leishmaniasis, malaria, measles, mumps and polio through extensive disease control programmes. Over 5 million children have received life saving vaccinations, but there is still a long way to go.
The
World Health Organisation has been supporting the Iraqi Ministry of
Health for the last three years to respond to drug shortages, and on several
occasions to respond to particular emergencies. They have assisted the Ministry
of Health in developing and implementing an appropriate National Medicine Policy
based on the concept of essential medicines, supported in turn by an efficient
National Drug Supply Management System.
DFID has given most of its assistance to the Iraqi health sector through financial contributions to international organisations that have particular expertise in health. These contributions include:
- £5 million to the
- £32 million to the
- £70 million to the United Nations and World Bank multi-donor
Last updated 17 April 2007
