“The overall aim is to protect health security in Iraq by strengthening the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to public health events, using the all-hazards approach, as per the International Health Regulations IHR (2005). More specifically, WHO will continue to support vulnerable populations in the prevention and control of epidemic-prone diseases and emerging infectious diseases that pose a threat to people in the post-conflict era” said Dr Adham Ismail, Acting WHO Representative in Iraq, acknowledging the generous contribution from Japan.
WHO’s work will largely focus on developmental activities to build and enhance the capacity of health professionals at various levels (central, governorate, and district) in disease detection and disease monitoring, through strengthening the surveillance system and laboratory diagnostics, and in case management for prevalent diseases to ensure appropriate patient care.
This contribution will ensure an enhanced infectious disease surveillance system and public health preparedness to enable early detection and response to disease outbreaks and other public health threats. It will also go towards enhancing the capacity of health professionals in preparing for and responding to infectious disease outbreaks as well as improving risk communication in infectious disease prevention and control. Furthermore, it will target the 3 million high-risk people, including IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities.
The Government of Japan has been a key partner to WHO, contributing a total of US$ 6 075 696 million over 4 years in support of the Organization’s interventions and services to the health sector across Iraq
For more information, please contact:
Gheeda Mayahi, WHO Communications Officer, (+964) 7827886765,
Pauline Ajello, WHO Communications Officer, (+964) 7510101460,
Ajyal Sultany, WHO Communications Officer, (+964) 7740 892 878,