Serious challenges ahead for Iraqi healthcare sector

"The Iraqi healthcare sector can emerge as a major player in the region if it expedites efforts to get its healthcare infrastructure up and running despite obstacles on the ground. It must focus on developing both primary and secondary care infrastructure," explained Andrea Longhi, Sector Leader MENA Healthcare and Life Sciences from Ernst & Young.

Longhi says: "The government needs to address the issue of access to primary care as it is the foundation and corner stone of any healthcare system. Another challenge for the sector is embedding quality and safety in the delivery of care. In addition, there is also the massive challenge of the workforce, in other words, how can the government attract qualified nationals abroad to come back and work, as well as other nationalities, in order to build that infrastructure?"

"There is an exciting opportunity to develop healthcare services in Iraq for a population that has recently gone through very difficult times. The government is working hard to respond to the needs of the population, particularly quality healthcare services," continued Longhi.

As one of the largest healthcare advisory firms in Middle East, Ernst & Young helps its clients implement change both in hospitals and across health systems. In MENA it has established a team of over 15 healthcare and life sciences specialists who bring together significant expertise in healthcare advisory globally, with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Middle East region.

Ernst & Young experts will share their insights at the upcoming Iraq Health Summit on March 10th and 11th in Erbil. The initiative is endorsed by His Excellency Dr Majeed Hamad Amin, Minister of Health Iraq, who is opening the event; and organised by French business information group naseba.

Together with Khalaf Mohammed Khalaf Al-Kaabi, Director of E-Health from ministry of Health Iraq, Abhijit Barve Executive Manager MENA Healthcare and Life Sciences from Ernst & Young will discuss ways on how Health IT systems can revolutionize healthcare in Iraq and discuss it with more than 300 attending country's healthcare professionals.

"At Ernst & Young we are passionate about healthcare and its continued improvement across the region, and we are looking forward to the new era of Iraqi healthcare," Longhi concluded.