WHO hands over a new batch of ambulances to strengthen referral pathway in IDPs and Returnee governorates in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Erbil: The World Health Organization (WHO) today handed over a new batch of fully equipped ambulances to the Ministry of Health in Kurdistan Region of Iraq to support the needs of the internally displaced population (IDPs) and hosting community here.

This second batch of 8 ambulances is part of a consignment of 20 fully equipped ambulances procured in 2019 with funds from the US Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to be distributed to directorates of health in Ninewa, Duhok, Kirkuk, Sala Alddin, Anbar, Erbil, Baghdad, and Sulymania.

Earlier in June 2019, the first batch of 10 ambulances was distributed to provide uninterrupted referral services in 4 governorates of Sala Alddin, Duhok, Erbil and Ninewa.

“The recent conflict in Iraq have impacted the health system and resulted in the destruction and damage of hundreds of ambulances,” said Dr. Adham Rashad Ismail Abdel Moneim WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Iraq.a nu

“WHO and the local health authorities have identified the problem and proceeded with the deployment of a network of new ambulances equipped with basic as well as advanced medical technology to support service delivery in areas of IDPs and returnees in Kurdistan Region and rest of Iraq. The new donated ambulances will surely save more lives and strengthen the provision of referral and ambulatory services in the country” Dr. Abdel Moneim added.

The IDPs and returnees resettling back in under-recovery areas face difficulties in accessing referral services including the disruption in the referral pathway, using privately rented vehicles without any medical assistance, the long delays at the security checkpoints, and the out-of-pocket expenses.

To date, WHO has donated a network of ambulances to support directorates of health in Ninewa, Duhok, Kirkuk, Sala Alddin, Anbar, Erbil, Baghdad and Sulymania to transport both emergencies and trauma patients to health facilities.

The procurement of the latest shipment of ambulances was made possible with the generous funding from the US Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). An average of 1200 to 1500 patients a month are expected to benefit from this service in each targeted location.

However, WHO would like to express its gratitude to the generous contributions from OFDA and the European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) for their continuous support to avail primary and secondary health care for IDPs, returnees and host community in Iraq.