The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced plans to provide medicines and medical equipment to health institutions across the region, while urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to pressure the Iraqi federal government to supply medicines, equipment, and medical materials to the Kurdistan Region.

KRG officials also called for the region to be included in international loans and projects granted to Iraq by foreign countries.

Health Minister: Iraq Has Not Paid Vaccination Team Entitlements

KRG Health Minister Saman Barzinji said Iraq has yet to release the financial entitlements of vaccination teams for 2023 in the Kurdistan Region. He urged the WHO to pressure Baghdad to continue vaccination campaigns and deliver the overdue funds.

Barzinji said the Kurdistan Region has been successful in controlling communicable diseases and noted that the WHO has promised support for efforts to combat drug abuse.

On the topic of health insurance, he said the ministry is waiting for the Kurdistan Parliament to approve the draft law already endorsed by the KRG Council of Ministers and the Kurdistan Region Council.

Warning Against Online Medicine Sales

Barzinji also warned the public against buying and selling medicines online, saying that victims of unsafe online drug purchases visit hospitals every day. He stressed that anyone selling or promoting medicines online should be prosecuted, adding that the Ministry of Health is firmly opposed to online sales and advertising of drugs.

Illegal Drugs Have Decreased

He added that the free market for pharmaceuticals is now fully regulated and that the smuggling of illegal drugs has decreased significantly.