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WHO visits Iraq to step up COVID-19 Response

WHO technical mission visits Iraq to step up COVID-19 detection and response activities

A high-level technical mission from the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded a visit to Iraq to support the Iraqi Ministry of Health response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) prevention and containment measures.

The mission, which comprised experts from the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and headquarters in Geneva, held a series of meetings with national health authorities to identify the disease detection dynamics and at-risk populations, in addition to providing guidance on strengthening response and control measures.

The mission also reviewed the Ministry’s overall readiness to deal with a potential increase in case reporting and the priority of establishing an Emergency Operation Centre to speed up action now that the disease has been announced as a global pandemic.

WHO experts visited the Central Public Health Laboratory to assess the national laboratory capacity and availability of test kits. They also visited the Communicable Disease Control Centre and designated health facilities in Baghdad to review the ongoing response by nationals and assess the technical support required in the coming period.

Iraq reported its first case of COVID 19 – an Iranian student in Iraq on 22 February 2020 – followed by 4 cases for members of one family with a travel history to Islamic Republic of Iran. Case reporting escalated to include almost all Iraqi governorates. The total number of cases reported as of 12 March stands at 83 confirmed cases, 24 recovered, and 8 deaths.

There is growing concern among the local health authorities about the possibility of domestic transmission of the disease which would challenge the already vulnerable health system in the country, stretched by years of wars and internal crises.

The health authorities have already banned major public events, suspended schools, and closed malls and gathering places until 21 March.

WHO has so far provided and will further provide the Ministry of Health at both central and regional levels with sufficient supplies of laboratory test kits and personal protective equipment to allow for a quick response to severe cases.

In addition, WHO is working around the clock to establish 3 negative-pressure rooms in Baghdad, Erbil and Basra to accommodate patients who might require more sophisticated medical treatment.

(Source: UN)

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Some Iraqis Rejecting Coronavirus Warnings

By Dana Taib Menmy for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

 Some Iraqis Rejecting Coronavirus Warnings

Iraqi Kurdistan health officials’ recommendations seem at odds with some religious leaders’ advice on dealing with the new coronavirus, Covid-19.

Some prominent clerics there are reminding Muslims that the Quran promises a martyr’s reward for the faithful who trust in Allah despite pestilence like Covid-19.

Some are sharing a Kurdish poem that reads, “You youths take the mosque’s path / do not care about what is on your way / our mosque’s congregation is far away from epidemics.“

Click here to read the full story.

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Iran, Iraq Stress Joint Measures to Combat Coronavirus

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart, Mohamed Ali al-Hakim, stressed the need for joint measures to combat the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

In a telephone conversation on Monday night, Zarif and Hakim exchanged views about a host of topics, including the latest developments in the region as well as ways to boost bilateral relations between Tehran and Baghdad.

The two sides also discussed the coronavirus epidemic and stressed the need for joint measures to contain the spread of the infectious disease.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, the death toll from the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran rose to 66 on Monday, with the confirmed cases of infection surpassing 1,500.

The ministry said out of 7,280 people who have gone to medical centers across the country so far, 4,312 are suspicious cases.

Medical staffs in 20 provinces of Iran have been working tirelessly over the past days to contain the novel coronavirus that has originated from China.

Following the increase of coronavirus increase, the Iranian government ordered the shutting of schools and universities and a ban on concerts and sports events.

Several high-ranking officials, including the deputy health minister and five lawmakers, have tested positive for the coronavirus as the spread of the outbreak forced the government to call on people to stay at home.

(Source: Tasnim, under Creative Commons licence)

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Coronavirus: Public Gatherings Banned, Travel Restricted

By John Lee.

Iraq has banned all public gatherings and barred entry to travellers from a number of countries affected by the coronavirus (covid19).

Entry permits are being denied to foreigners arriving directly or indirectly from China, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Singapore, until further notice.

Despite the ban on public gatherings, protesters continue to demonstrate in Baghdad and elsewhere.

(Sources: MOFA, Middle East Eye)

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4 more get Coronavirus in Iraq

By John Lee.

Iraq has reported four new cases of coronavirus (covid-19), this time in Kirkuk province.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the four were from the same family, and had recently returned from Iran.

They have been placed in quarantine.

According to Reuters, Iraq has indefinitely extended an entry ban on travellers from China, Iran, Thailand, South Korean, Japan, Italy and Singapore.

(Source: Ministry of Health)

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KRG takes action to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani (pictured) today chaired a cabinet meeting with governors from the Kurdistan Region to discuss recent developments, along with the steps the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is taking to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus.

Minister of Health Saman Hussein Muhammed updated the Prime Minister and his cabinet on the latest data regarding the spread of the coronavirus around the world and across the region, and presented immediate actions and measures the KRG is undertaking to prevent the virus from entering the Kurdistan Region.

The KRG Council of Ministers issued several decisions to protect the health of the Kurdistan Region’s citizens, as follows:

• The KRG will deliver up-to-date accurate information and instructions to the public on a daily basis, with the help of media organisations.

• The KRG will declare the period of 26 February to 10 March a public holiday for all public and private schools and kindergartens in the Kurdistan Region. Public and private universities will be closed from 29 February to 10 March. All schools and universities will remain closed during the spring break (10 March – 23 March) before reopening on 24 March. The Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research will prepare a schedule that enables students to catch up with their studies.

• The KRG will screen domestic and international tourists entering the Kurdistan Region, in addition to limiting their movements. No one will be permitted to enter the Kurdistan Region without the required medical checks.

• The KRG will ensure people have access to everyday commodities, and that shops in the Kurdistan Region will continue stocking essential goods. The KRG will prevent the price manipulation of essential goods, and take action against anyone who attempts to benefit illegally from this situation.

• The Ministry of Finance and Economy will provide financial support to governorates and local administrations, working closely with the Ministries of Interior and Health.

The KRG is encouraging everyone to help with the implementation of these preventative steps, and to follow instructions and advice provided by healthcare professionals to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Barzani also briefed ministers on the KRG delegation’s recent series of important meetings with world leaders in Germany, Italy and the Vatican. He provided an update on the latest efforts in Baghdad to form a new federal government, and stressed the Kurdistan Region, as an official and constitutional entity in Iraq, is the only body which can decide on its representatives in the federal government’s cabinet.

He added that all Kurdistani political parties in Baghdad were in agreement, and praised them for presenting a united front.

(Source: KRG)

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Iraq confirms first case of Coronavirus

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of the coronavirus (covid-19) in the country.

It said that an Iranian student had tested positive for the virus in Najaf.

The student is reported to have been immediately quarantined.

Following the announcement, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA said that Kuwait’s civil aviation authority has suspended all its flights to and from Iraq.

The Kuwaiti Ports Authority has also banned the entry of ships from Iraq.

(Sources: Ministry of Health, Anadolu Agency, KUNA)

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Video: Iraq Bans Iran Arrivals amid Coronavirus Fears

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraq is setting up quarantine areas aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus from across the border with Iran.

Neighbouring Iran has reported its sixth death from the disease.

There are fears that hundreds of thousands of Iranian visitors to holy sites in Iraq could spread the virus.

Al Jazeera‘s Rob Matheson reports from the Iraqi capital Baghdad:

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New UNFPA Country Programme Document 2020-2024

The Government of Iraq, represented by the Ministry of Planning, and UNFPA launched the Fund’s third Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2020-2024, at the Ministry of Planning’s premises on 20 February 2020.

The CPD, which was developed in collaboration with the Government of Iraq, United Nations agencies, human rights institutions and civil society organizations, is in harmony with the country’s priorities as outlined in the Iraq Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Iraq National Development Plan (2018-2022) and the Iraq Vision 2030.

It also focuses on the four outcomes of the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2018-2021) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq (2020 -2024).

Through this CPD, UNFPA will work to strengthen national capacity for the provision of high-quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services, especially for the most vulnerable populations. The efforts will be directed towards increasing the national capacity for creating demand of reproductive health services, including the request for information to enable the population to make informed decisions related to their sexual and reproductive health.

The next five years, will ensure that young people have the skills and ammunition to exercise leadership and participate in sustaining peace as per UNSC resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace or Security. Furthermore, UNFPA with donors and partners will help improve the capacity of the government, human rights institutions, local civil society organizations and communities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including in humanitarian settings.

Moreover, the partnership with the government, academic, experts, and the civil society will aim at improving the national population data systems for better availability, analysis and creation of evidence-based programmes.

Speaking at the event, his Excellency Minister of Planning, Dr Nouri Al-Dulaimi said:

“Country programmes documents have contributed to preparing and building the capacities of Iraqis in many ways. The support received in ​​providing integrated services and access to information, in empowering young people to exercise leadership and participation in development projects at the national and local levels, in reducing and addressing gender-based violence, and in providing technical support to improving data and data collection to draft people-centred policies and strategies in line with the goals of sustainable development 2030.

“We look forward today to continue our partnership with UNFPA within the framework of its new CPD for 2020-2024 which will be the stepping stone to enhance and strengthen population dynamics in Iraq.”

On his part, UNFPA Representative, Dr Oluremi Sogunro, said:

“This third country programme tells the story of the long history of cooperation between UNFPA and the Government and People of Iraq. We look forward to this new era of work where we will strive to strengthen national capacities, in particular of health systems and woman machineries, to address emerging development and humanitarian needs, and to ensure that no one is left behind.”

“Women and girls count; their rights are inherent to them, are owed to them; and if we invest in them, the world and all of the 17 sustainable development goals will advance forward rapidly as a result.”

The ceremony, which was attended by representatives of key ministries and government entities, Governors, partners and civil society members, was preceded by a signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Planning and UNFPA for the disbursement of IQD 6 billion from the Government of Iraq to UNFPA support to the 2020 Population and Housing Census.

The event will be followed by a stakeholder meeting on 23-24 February where UNFPA will develop with donors and key partners the implementation framework of the country programme document to serve more efficiently the population of Iraq.

Click here to download the full document.

(Source: UN)

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Restoring critical Healthcare Services to Mosul

The newly-rehabilitated Al Shifa Surgical Center was officially opened by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Iraq today.

The surgical center will serve as the primary medical facility for approximately 800,000 people across East Mosul.

This major project included rehabilitating inpatient wards with 24 beds for men and women, two full operating theatres, two intensive care units, and a number of examination and sterilization rooms. A new oxygen generator building will provide high-quality oxygen supply to the whole hospital and can refill oxygen bottles to meet external demand. The facility was rehabilitated with financial support from The Government of The Netherlands.

The Governor of Ninewa, His Excellency Najim Abdullah al-Juboori was joined by UNDP Resident Representative in Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmed, to mark the occasion.

“The Al Shifa Surgical Center is a well-equipped, modern medical facility – one that will provide a huge number of Moslawis with the quality healthcare services they so deserve,” said Ms. Ali Ahmed, Resident Representative of UNDP Iraq.

“Access to healthcare is one of the foundations of strong societies and UNDP is proud to be working to improve healthcare access across the areas that suffered under ISIL,” added Ms. Ali Ahmed.

Governor of Ninewa, His Excellency Najim Abdullah al-Juboori, noted that “Whilst healthcare facilities in Mosul were providing quality services for many years, the destruction caused by ISIL has resulted in Moslawis having to seek treatment in other governorates.”

“Now, as many doctors return to the city, and with the support of UNDP to reconstruct critical public healthcare facilities, services will become more affordable and accessible to Moslawis in need.”

The surgical center is a satellite facility of the Al Shifa Hospital Complex, which was used as a Headquarters by ISIL during the occupation of Mosul. The hospital complex was cleared of over 2,000 explosive items in 2017, with the support of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

UNDP is working across the liberated governorates of Iraq to improve healthcare services. As a result, 1.8 million people now have better access to healthcare services through the rehabilitation of hospitals and primary healthcare centers.

(Source: UNDP)