Iraq | ASB Foreign Aid

Healthcare in Kirkuk | Iraq

Five years after liberation from ISIS occupation, Hawija district still lacks adequate healthcare. Many people do not have access to comprehensive healthcare. Therefore, the ASB supports the reconstruction and equipping of three primary healthcare units and the vocational training and further training of health workers.

The project

Project title: Improving health services by strengthening healthcare structures in underserved regions of Kirkuk province, Iraq
Project region: Kirkuk province, Hawija district
Project volume: € 3.52 million
Project financing: BMZ transitional aid
Project duration: 11/11/2021 - 31/12/2025
Target group: (Direct beneficiaries: approx. 123,428 people) People living in the catchment area of three health centres in rural regions (residents, returnees, internally displaced persons, women of reproductive age, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, people living in poverty), community-based civil society organisations, trainees (young adults) in healthcare professions

from the radical Islamic group ISIS on 4 October 2017 and is one of the areas of Iraq most affected by the conflict. Much of the basic infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, remains in ruins five years after the liberation and access to public services remains limited. People have no choice but to travel long distances, or to forego their right to healthcare. In order to ensure primary healthcare for all, the project places particular emphasis on supporting those people with the greatest access difficulties. These are, in particular, women, pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Phot credits: ASB Iraq
Phot credits: ASB Iraq
Phot credits: ASB Iraq

How the ASB is helping in Iraq

Rehabilitation of health centres in particularly neglected regions

The ASB is rebuilding three destroyed health centres in Hawija district to strengthen health infrastructure and state health structures. The three health centres will provide primary healthcare for all and ensure the provision of effective, high-quality, affordable and essential medicines. In addition, prevention in the areas of women’s and children’s health will be strengthened. For example, as part of the health services, early detection of breast and cervical cancer, high-risk pregnancies and delayed growth in children are offered and health workers are trained to provide the services.

High-quality training for youths and young adults creates future prospects in healthcare professions

The ASB supports the training of 120 young adults from the neglected region of Hawija in healthcare professions. This creates much-needed future prospects and income opportunities. This contributes to social cohesion and prevents young people from joining extremist groups. In addition, the aid gives women in particular the opportunity to achieve greater economic participation and to be able to live more independently.

The vocational school in Kirkuk receives support to improve training in the region. There, necessary repair measures are carried out and the curriculum is modernised. Teachers are trained in modern teaching methods and adequate teaching and learning materials and equipment are made available to the school.

Volunteer health workers

To support the existing resources of women and young adults in civil society, the project strengthens three civil society organisations and enables them to carry out community-based activities even after the end of the project. In the course of the project, these young organisations are set up as project partners and take over part of the project activities. Together with the ASB, a total of 60 volunteer health workers are being trained to provide health education and strengthen prevention in the surrounding communities.

The main aim of the project is to positively influence the health awareness and behaviour of people in the communities. These measures also strengthen the social role of women who are actively involved in the communities.