Iraqi PM Launches New Neonatal Centres

Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has inaugurated ten specialised neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) via video link as part of a broader healthcare initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality across Iraq.

The units are part of a 22-centre national project, offering a total capacity of 360 beds. The centres are located in Basra, Muthanna, Wasit, Salahaddin, Duhok, and Baghdad (Kadhimiya, Rusafa/Ibn Al-Baladi Hospital, and the Medical City complex).

Al-Sudani praised the technical and medical teams involved and highlighted the importance of these high-impact projects in early detection of illnesses and reducing neonatal mortality rates. He noted that the centres would also serve as training hubs for medical staff using modern equipment and protocols.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government's focus on upgrading Iraq's healthcare infrastructure and expressed confidence that more hospitals would soon be opened. He emphasised that public trust in the healthcare system must be restored through improved service delivery.

Each NICU will be equipped with over 1,120 devices, including 51 units from GE HealthCare, as well as other essential medical equipment tailored to the needs of each location. Staff will receive specialised training to manage modern technologies and complex neonatal cases.