WHO establish a new isolation unit in Hamam Aleel Field Hospital to support the treatment of COVID-19 cases among IDPs in Ninawa Governorate

The Unit will support the isolation and management of COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases among the internally displaced population (IDPs) in Hamam Aleel and surrounding areas. It will also facilitate the containment of COVID 19 transmission in IDP camps in the governorate through the proper isolation and management of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases.

“The emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraq has increased WHO’s and local health authorities concern over the health situation in the IDP and refugee camps in Iraq,” said Dr. Adham Ismail WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Iraq. “The project we are inaugurating today will support the local health authorities to ensure access of the displaced population living in camps and underserved surroundings in Ninawa governorate to quality COVID-19 health services,” added Dr. Ismail.

The unit is composed of two wards, each of which has 5 rooms with a total capacity of 20 beds. The referral services have accordingly been strengthened to facilitate the transfer of cases from camps to the Isolation Unit and from the said Unit to other secondary health facilities where advanced medical intervention is required.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the fragile health system in Ninawa governorate where almost all the secondary health facilities were damaged and over 75% of the hospital-bed capacity lost during the 5-year internal conflict erupted in the governorate in 2014.

WHO established Hamam Aleel Field Hospital, however, has been providing COVID 19 treatment to the IDPs and vulnerable underserved populations in Hamam Aleel and other surrounding areas in the governorate. Nonetheless, more support is required to improve and ensure access to sustained health care service delivery to over 52,000 IDPs and over 225,000 returnees living in severe humanitarian conditions in Ninawa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) extends its appreciation to the Government of Kuwait and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for contributing to the establishment of the Isolation Unit in Hamam Aleel Field Hospital in Hamam Aleel district of Ninewa Governorate.