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National Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2025–2030 Launched in Iraq
13 August 2025 – In 2025, Iraq launched the 2025–2030 National Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, marking a significant step in national health sector reform. The strategy, developed under the technical leadership of WHO and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and UNFPA, places population needs at the center of health policy and service delivery.
The strategy is built on the six pillars of a resilient health system and is supported by a fully budgeted national action plan. Priority actions include expanding access to services in rural, underserved and conflict-affected areas, standardizing essential health services nationwide and strengthening health infrastructure.
“This strategy is a clear demonstration of Iraq’s commitment to building a health system that meets the needs of its most vulnerable populations,” said Dr Jamela Al-Raibi, WHO Representative in Iraq. “With this strategy, Iraq is setting a strong foundation for healthier futures for women, children, and adolescents.”
Through the Health Resources and Services Availability Monitoring System (HeRAMS), Iraq now tracks real-time data to guide the equitable deployment of over 400 000 health workers. Digital platforms such as DHIS2 enable disaggregated data collection by age, gender, and location, supporting more targeted and equitable interventions. Health facilities are being upgraded with essential supplies, equipment, and modern technologies to ensure the delivery of safe and high-quality care.
Strategic financing has been reinforced through a nationally developed costing tool, ensuring that the action plan is fully resourced and financially sustainable.
At Erbil Maternity Teaching Hospital, the upgraded neonatal unit has reduced the neonatal mortality rate from 6.2% to 1.1%. A premature infant born at 26 weeks and weighing 900 grams received specialized care and recovered fully.
The National Strategy represents a firm commitment to ensuring that every woman, child and adolescent in Iraq has access to the care and support needed to survive, thrive and live with dignity.
Iraq moves forward with a new National Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance
19 June 2025 – Iraq has taken a major step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with the finalization, following a recent national multi-stakeholder workshop held in Baghdad, of its updated National Action Plan (NAP) for 2026–2030.
The workshop was jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Iraq and the Ministry of Health, with technical guidance from WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and support from ReAct Africa. It brought together representatives from all relevant line ministries – environment, agriculture and higher education and scientific research – and Ministry of Health directorates, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Médicine sans Frontières and the private sector.
Intense discussions and cross-sectoral group work focused on ensuring the updated NAP was:
technically sound and reflected the latest global standards;
relevant in addressing the local Iraqi context; and
practical and measurable, with a clear path from planning to action.
The workshop also aimed to strengthen national ownership, deepen institutional collaboration and create the foundations for accountability and resource mobilization moving forward.
“The updated National Action Plan on AMR is a strategic framework to strengthen Iraq’s health system. Its successful implementation relies on strong national and international collaboration to meet its vital objectives in protecting future generations, supported by coordinated multisectoral action and strong political advocacy to ensure high-level commitment, policy alignment and joint efforts across all sectors,” said Ministry of Health Director General of Public Health Dr Riyadh Abdul Ameer.
Recognizing the urgent need to coordinate across human, animal and environmental health sectors, the Plan incorporates a robust One Health approach.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders endorsing a shared vision for implementation and reaffirming their commitment to translate global recommendations into measurable steps on the ground.
“Iraq’s updated AMR Action Plan is a strong example of national leadership and multisectoral collaboration in our Region. WHO remains committed to supporting Iraq in turning this Plan into action through the One Health approach and sustained political commitment,” said Regional Advisor for Antimicrobial Resistance at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hala Amer.
The WHO Country and Regional Office will continue to support Iraq in operationalizing the plan by providing technical guidance, including on costing and budgeting, policy dialogue, capacity-building and coordination with national and international partners.
“Iraq’s updated AMR National Action Plan marks a pivotal step forward in our commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance through the One Health approach. The Plan reflects our determination to translate global recommendations into concrete actions that protect human, animal and environmental health in an integrated and sustainable manner,” said AMR Programme Manager at the Ministry of Health Rana Mahdi.
While Iraq’s renewed focus on AMR offers a model for progress through partnership and perseverance, continued political commitment, including domestic funding, multisectoral coordination and capacity strengthening, is essential to ensure the plan is fully operationalized and all its goals achieved.
Iraq and the UN mark World Health Day 2025 with the launch of the National Strategy for the Health of Women, Children and Adolescents
8 May 2025, Baghdad, Iraq – To mark World Health Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Health, organized a high-level event to highlight progress in public health and promote a shared vision for the future. Held under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, the event brought together senior government officials, UN agencies, donor partners and members of the diplomatic community.
It featured the official launch of the National Strategy for the Health of Women, Children and Adolescents, jointly developed by WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and included a high-level panel discussion foregrounding Iraq’s transition from emergency health response to building resilient and sustainable health systems, with a focus on strengthening national leadership, multisectoral collaboration and ensuring equity in health service delivery.
H.E. Dr Saleh Al-Hasnawi, Minister of Health, stated: “WHO has been a trusted and longstanding partner in supporting Iraq’s health agenda. From emergency response and health system strengthening to technical guidance in developing national strategies, the Organization’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in advancing equitable, resilient and people-centered health services.”
Mr Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, noted:
“The health sector plays a vital role in Iraq’s development and recovery. This event marks a pivotal moment in our shift from emergency response to sustainable, resilient health systems that serve all. As UN partners we are committed to supporting Iraq’s leadership and national health agenda in delivering inclusive and sustainable health care for everyone.”
The panel discussion, moderated by WHO Representative in Iraq Dr Jamela Al-Raiby, included participants from the UN, the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office and international partners. The dialogue explored practical approaches to strengthen health systems, invest in early life stages and integrate services across sectors.
Dr Al-Raiby emphasized that the event reflected WHO’s core mission to convene, coordinate and catalyse efforts for healthier communities and reaffirmed the determination to place women, children and adolescents at the heart of health policy and investment.
Recent health achievements in Iraq were highlighted, including reductions in the maternal mortality rate to 29.6 per 100 000 live births, the neonatal mortality rate to 10.5 per 1000 live births and the under-5 mortality rate to 19.7 per 1000 live births
The event concluded with a renewed call for continued collaboration between the Government, the United Nations and the international community.
WHO extends its sincere appreciation to all partners and donors for their continued support in improving health in Iraq. The Organization reaffirms its commitment to Iraq’s national priorities and to working alongside partners to ensure that every child in Iraq is protected by a health system that offers them a promising future.
