Minister of Health of the Kurdistan region Dr Saman Barzangy and WHO Representative Dr Ahmed Zouiten attending to the downloading of the medical and laboratory equipment. Credit: WHO/Iraq
Erbil, Iraq, 23 January 2022 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered more than 20 tons of urgently needed medical technologies to the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The 117-pallet consignment contains a variety of emergency medical devices, mechanical and intensive care unit beds and other hospital equipment and personal protective equipment that will contribute to boosting the quality of medical care services and enhance the local health authority’s preparedness in responding to an increasing number of cases as a result of the Omicron variant as Iraq experiences its fourth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iraq.
“I am happy at the level of collaboration between the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan region and WHO, and express my appreciation of all efforts behind this continued support,” said Dr Saman Barzangy, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan region. “This shipment of emergency medical supplies will make a difference in the quality and quantity of health care services delivered in our health institutions. Hundreds of thousands of people will now be assured better access to essential and emergency health care services, including COVID-19 treatment,” H.E. Dr Barzangy added.
After a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections in the last few months of 2021, helped by an increase in the number of people vaccinated, infections are starting to surge again recently following the detection of the Omicron variant in the northern city of Duhok in the Kurdistan region and the capital Baghdad on 6 January 2022.
“This consignment complements the previous emergency and lifesaving support presented to enforce the local health authorities' response to the new surge in Omicron variant cases,” said Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Iraq.
“We are concerned about the recent increase in case numbers and are calling for collective action to adhere to prevention measures and increased vaccination efforts. WHO and the Ministry of Health at both central and regional levels share the same goal of working to protect the people of Iraq and save lives through accessible, sustainable, and affordable quality health care services across the country,” Dr Zouiten added.
In 2021, WHO Iraq supported the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan region with medical equipment and pharmaceuticals worth over US$ 2.5 million. The support strengthened provision of essential and emergency health care services and productively contributed to addressing the urgent health needs of the community, which continues to host nearly a quarter of a million Syrian refugees and over 1 million internally displaced Iraqis.
WHO in Iraq would like to express its gratitude for the generous contributions from the people and Government of Germany, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the people and Government of Kuwait for providing funding for this medical and laboratory support.
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For more information, please contact:
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WHO Communications Officer
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Baraa Shabaa
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