Sarhang Salar Ahmed – Activists
Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right recognized in all societies. Every individual has the right to receive healthcare services without discrimination, including access to medicines, hospitals, and emergency services. It is the responsibility of governments to ensure publicly funded healthcare systems are available to all citizens. A well-functioning, equitable, and accessible healthcare system is essential for the development of any society.
In developed countries, national healthcare systems are established to protect citizens from the financial burden of medical care and to promote equity in access. These systems are typically insulated from political and commercial exploitation, ensuring that healthcare remains a public good rather than a business venture.
The State of Healthcare in Iraq
The Iraqi healthcare sector is currently in a state of crisis, hindered by years of conflict, a severe shortage of medical professionals, and pervasive corruption. While the system remains largely under government control, it is plagued by political interference. This has led to a weakened public health infrastructure and a growing reliance on private healthcare services. The expansion of the private sector—often controlled or facilitated by political elites—raises significant concerns regarding equitable access, quality of care, and the potential for misuse of public resources, including money laundering.
Challenges in Iraq’s Public Health Sector
The current Iraqi Minister of Health, Dr. Salih Mahdi Al-Hasnawi, is closely aligned with the Prime Minister, Mohammad Shia’ Al-Sudani, and maintains strong ties with Shi’a political leadership and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Critics argue that Dr. Al-Hasnawi has prioritized political relationships over the responsibilities of his office, facilitating the establishment of private hospitals and pharmaceutical companies by political allies.
Meanwhile, the public health sector faces severe challenges, including shortages of essential medications and healthcare personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and poor safety standards. These deficiencies have led to tragic incidents, such as the fire at a maternity hospital in Diwaniyah in January 2024, which resulted in the deaths of four children and injuries to hundreds, as well as the 2021 fire at a COVID-19 hospital in Nasiriyah.
The Healthcare Crisis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
The situation in the Kurdistan Region mirrors these national challenges and, in some respects, is even more acute. The region’s health sector has effectively been transformed into a business enterprise dominated by political elites. Dr. Saman Al-Barzanji, the Minister of Health and a prominent member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), is closely allied with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the Barzani family. His overt political loyalty is evident—portraits of party leader Masoud Barzani are reportedly displayed throughout his office.
Dr. Al-Barzanji has facilitated the creation of private hospitals and pharmaceutical import companies operated by KDP affiliates, generating significant profits for party leaders. Meanwhile, the public healthcare system in the Kurdistan Region suffers from chronic underfunding and neglect, including shortages of medical staff, essential medications, and even basic hospital services. In some public facilities, basic medications like painkillers are not available.
One of the most notable examples of alleged corruption involves the forced procurement of medical supplies from a company named “North Light,” reportedly linked to the Barzani family. In 2021, the Minister failed to recruit any new healthcare workers, further destabilizing the public sector and pushing citizens toward private care.
Conclusion and Call to Action
It is imperative that the Iraqi judiciary remains independent and takes decisive action to address corruption in the health sector. Furthermore, Iraqi citizens must be empowered to demand their constitutional right to healthcare and hold political leaders accountable. A functional, transparent, and equitable healthcare system is essential not only for public health but for the future stability and development of Iraq.
