Attachments
Executive summary
In 2022, WHO initiated a transition phase winding down the focus on the response to humanitarian needs and building a strong emergency preparedness programme to achieve health security in Iraq.
This year was also the year of recovery from the public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet, the Ministry of Health and WHO agreed to capitalize on the gains made during the last years of response to COVID-19 and shift the focus towards building a resilient and robust health system for Iraq able to detect, confirm and respond to all hazards in the health sector while also providing quality health services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels to secure the highest health status for everyone, everywhere in Iraq.
This shift aimed to support Iraq’s progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in line with WHO’s quest for Health for All by All.
Following a thorough assessment made in the frame of the Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR), WHO and the Ministry of Health invested in implementing the recommendations made by the joint review committee.
Significant progress was made in advancing health governance, prioritizing Health-in-All-Policies, and advocating for changes to public health laws. The health information system was identified as a top priority, leading to the implementation of the district health information system 2 (DHIS2) to improve data collection, processing and reporting to inform evidence-based decision-making in the health sector. WHO continued to strengthen the health information system through the implementation of a series of information management tools, including HeRAMS and DHIS2, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. WHO has trained hundreds of health professionals and data specialists, streamlining the process of data entry, validation, analysis, reporting and dissemination.
While the emphasis was on strengthening the health system, the health authorities faced several disease outbreaks in 2022, including CrimeanCongo haemorrhagic fever and cholera, on top of the surge in COVID-19 cases. In response, the communicable diseases surveillance programme was implemented, focusing on building human capacity, enhancing laboratory capacity, and improving infection prevention and control.
Throughout 2022, WHO also continued to support the Ministry of Health by providing essential medicines, supplies and medical equipment to primary health care (PHC) facilities in conflictaffected governorates. WHO also inaugurated new warehouses in Erbil governorate to strengthen the health sector’s capacity, including the supply chain of medical technologies.
WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, reached millions of people through various risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities, with multiple methods used to reach different societal groups in response to COVID-19, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and cholera outbreaks and other health concerns in the country.
Recognizing the need for strong health systems in the Region and Iraq, the WHO Country Office, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, developed a plan of action endorsed in the 68th Regional Committee meeting.
The plan of action focused on strengthening the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and health system capacities, fostering national coordination and international cooperation to enhance health security in the Region and Iraq.