Iraq | ASB Foreign Aid

Combating COVID-19 and other epidemics in Saladin | Iraq

With the support of the ASB and the financial resources of Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH), the primary healthcare unit on the Tikrit University campus in Saladin has been strengthened in order to effectively tackle the pandemic. Necessary repairs were carried out and equipment such as PCR testing equipment and consumable supplies were procured. In addition, health workers were trained in the fight against pandemics and other outbreaks.

The project

Project title: Strengthening response capacities to COVID-19 and emerging pandemics at a higher education institute
Project region: Saladin province, Tikrit
Project volume: € 187,954.37
Financing: Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH)
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2022
Target group: 48,000 residents the primary health centre at Tikrit University

These measures allowed the patients to be treated appropriately. The strengthened primary healthcare unit played an important role in maintaining the health of the university community and helped students to continue their studies successfully.

Significant logistical and capacity bottlenecks, such as the availability of trained staff, the necessary care in taking accurate samples, the time required for laboratory analysis up to the availability of reagents and the isolation of positive cases, have delayed the response to the containment of the Covid pandemic among students and affected the entire educational system at universities. The use of effective and efficient resources at the site of treatment helped to provide the capacity for effective prevention. Owing to the high density of people and the many contacts, diseases such as COVID-19 can spread rapidly on campus.

Photo credits: ASB Iraq
Photo credits: ASB Iraq
Photo credits: ASB Iraq

How the ASB is helping in Iraq

Improved primary healthcare for a better state of health

Regular and reliable primary healthcare, including prevention and precautions, is particularly important for groups that are more vulnerable to health problems and risky environmental conditions, especially due to pre-existing conditions. People with chronic and acute diseases requiring treatment, such as diabetes, anaemia and high blood pressure, need regular access to primary healthcare.

It is also important to consider gender-based risks for girls and women. A well-equipped health centre with a laboratory is an important factor for early detection, especially in the case of anaemia, which affects many female students.

Preventing the outbreak and transmission of COVID-19 and other epidemics

In order to prevent, detect and adequately respond to the threat of COVID-19 and other outbreaks, in particular at the beginning of lecture times, the ASB strengthened the capacity of the health centre to cope with the expected increase in COVID-19 cases.

In order to provide healthcare services for the catchment area, the ASB supported the centre by providing equipment and training for staff to ensure appropriate case management. Laboratory capacities were strengthened in order to be able to carry out PCR tests on site. Measures to avoid, prevent and respond to emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 were improved. The health workers also received training on infection prevention and the implementation of educational measures to make sure all patients are informed about infection prevention, symptoms of COVID-19 and positive health behaviour. This includes staff as well as students and their families.