20 April 2012 – Twenty (20) health care managers and decision-makers from different senior departments in the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government received diplomas on advanced health managerial skills from the American University of Beirut on 20 April 2012 in Beirut. 

The six-month diploma programme aims to strengthen the health management skills of a core group of health professionals in strategic planning, health care financing, hospital reform, decentralization and change management. This core team of health professionals will conduct evidence-based analysis of organizational and institutional functioning and governance in order to streamline service delivery structures, procedures and decision-making as part of overall modernization efforts in the development of the national health policy and revision of the national health strategy.

The governance and leadership role of the Ministry of Health will be strengthened at both national and governorate levels, facilitating the establishment of an effective health system responsive to current and emerging health care needs of the Iraqi population.