Iraq once had a strong public health care system dating back 1000 years that was free for all and included specialized hospitals and residency training for physicians. The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in 859 CE, is considered the world's oldest degree-granting university. In the 1970s, Iraq had a high quality health care system relative to the region. However, after wars and sanctions in the 1980s and 1990s, health infrastructure and personnel declined dramatically with doctor and health worker shortages and lack of essential medicines. The education system was also historically based on religious and societal values.

1. IRAQ’sHEALTH CARE & EDUCATION SYSTEM Isam Saeed

2. History of health care system in Iraq First True HospitalsPublic hospitals built -1000 yrs ago, and it was: • Free for all• Separate sections for males and females• Hospital clothes• Specialized units• Internal medicine• Orthopedics• Ophthalmology• Psychiatry• Physicians in every specialty – on duty – all shifts• Nurses• Assistants

3. Physicians Residency Program • Special training for all doctors before starting of practice• Need to pass formal, oral exam in front of specialists• Need to obtain license before practice (913 CE – Baghdad – Caliph al-Muqaddir)• Re-examined – re-certified all doctors in the city due to one medical error, that killed a patient.

4. At leaving hospital Patients were given a new set of clothes and were supported financially until patients becomes better and start working.

5. Al-Mansouri Hospital –1248 CE • 8000 Beds• Specialized Wards• Free for all• No limit for inpatient stay• Physicians held accountable for negligence• Physicians only get paid if patients were properly treated or cured.

6. World’soldestuniversity University of Al-Karaouine– 859 CE The Guinness Book Of Records, Published 1998, ISBN 0-5535-7895-2, P.242

7. Currenthealthcare system 1970s—Iraq a leader in healthcare in the region Prior to the Iran-Iraq war of September 1980 – August 1988 and the subsequent years of conflict and decade of sanctions, Iraq had a high standard of health care relative to the rest of the Arab region. Health care was free, centrally-administered through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and was well-equipped and well-supplied, with modern hospitals and an adequate number of well-trained medical personnel.

9. Wide access to Primary health care.

10. Adequate referral support.

11. Sufficient well-trained and skilled staff.

12. Iraqi population enjoyed the benefits of one of the best health care systems in the Middle East .

13. Heath indicators reflected health of Iraqi population comparable to middle income countries.8

14. Health statistics Below is some of the information and data that are available (WHO): In the 1990s, there were approximately 34,000 doctors registered with the Iraqi Medical Association but, by 2005, this number was down to 18,126, with half of these in Baghdad, Basra and Ninewa governorates . In 2006 there were 94,815 health workers, giving a ratio of 3.5 health workers to every 1,000 people. This compares to the East Mediterranean average of 4.2:1,000. Chronic non-communicable diseases afflict many adults: hypertension 40%, diabetes 10%, overweight 34% and obesity 33% (MoH and WHO, 2006). The situation is further exacerbated by shortages of health services and drug supplies (10 out of 32 essential medicines are not regularly available).

16. State verses private health care sector

17. Structure and organization of education system Education system in Iraq is based on values and principles derived from the religious, human and national charateristics of society

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