Iraq’s healthcare sector is currently one of the fastest growing in the world. Public spending on healthcare has doubled since 2010, and is expected to reach $7.2 billion in 2013 as the country opens a number of new hospitals and clinics.
This impressive spending is backed by solid support from the government, whose proactive approach aims to ensure Iraq’s healthcare system undergoes the facelift it needs just to align itself with its neighbours in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Health’s endorsement of the Iraq Health Summit is further evidence of this commitment. Taking place on March 10- 11, 2013 in Erbil, it is gathering local and international experts to explore the current state of healthcare in the region, and discuss strategies and solutions for the future.
The two-day platform is being hosted and organised by French business information group naseba, and is the first healthcare summit in Iraq produced by an international company and endorsed by the Ministry of Health.
Dr Majeed Hamad Amin, Iraq’s Minister of Health is to deliver the opening keynote address outlining the strategic direction the country’s healthcare sector wants to take in the next two years.
While government investment, support and expenditure should lead to a bright future for the sector, a genuine lack of hospitals, clinics and healthcare centres suggests the country still has a lot of work to do. Ministry of Health experts presenting potential solutions for this future development include Jamila Zgayeir Latfa, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, and Hasan Hadi Bakker Al Kazzaz, director general of Public Health Directorate.
“As recently as two decades ago, Iraq’s healthcare system was one of the most advanced in the region. Now the Ministry of Health and experts in the sector are working together to put the country firmly back on the healthcare map once again,” explained Fabien Faure, naseba’s Healthcare series director.
The summit will also be attended by officials from KIMADIA -- the state-run authority responsible for the import and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment for all healthcare facilities in the country. Dr Ihsan Jaffer Ahmed, their director general is confirmed as a speaker and panel discussion moderator.
In addition, representatives from pharma giant Astra Zeneca are conducting an educational workshop with a special focus on improving the healthcare reality in Iraq.
Faure concluded by saying: “Iraq’s Ministry of Health shares naseba’s vision and understands that collaboration with regional and global experts is the key to establishing a strong healthcare system. This is the main purpose of this initiative -- to connect leading healthcare authorities with national decision makers and medical professionals so they can share and discuss ideas and strategies, and understand the solutions needed to advance healthcare in the country.”