Baghdad should play a 'bigger' role in fight against COVID-19: KRG minister

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Health Minister Saman Barzinji on Friday said that the Iraqi government should play a more active role in assisting the autonomous region in containing the new coronavirus disease.

The comment came during an interview with Kurdistan 24 on Friday when a delegation from the Iraqi parliament's anti-coronavirus crisis cell visited Erbil.

The group was led by Hassan al-Kaabi and Bashir al-Haddad, the first and second deputy parliament speakers. Accompanied by Kurdistan Region lawmakers and other officials, both visited COVID-19 treatment and testing facilities as well as quarantine centers.

"We've asked Baghdad to play a bigger and more effective role" in the fight against the disease, Barzinji told Kurdistan 24.

The minister noted "excellent" ties and coordination with Iraqi health authorities and affirmed that more was needed to ensure the safety of all, including refugees and displaced persons.

He pointed to the large number of COVID-19 tests the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is conducting as one of the effective ways the region is stemming the outbreak. To maintain these efforts, he noted, the KRG needs the funding necessary for the upkeep of the medical equipment and facilities involved.

"The Kurdistan Region should be included in any international medical aid that Baghdad receives or the Iraqi government's budget allocated to fight coronavirus," Barzinji remarked.

Kaabi told Kurdistan 24 that the KRG had received their share of funds. "Just like any other Iraqi provinces, the Kurdistan Region's provinces have received their shares of the medical aid."

He stated such financial assistance packages would continue.

"We've reiterated with the [Iraqi] minister of migration that better care should be provided to the refugee camps because they have a huge impact on the Kurdistan Region due to their interactions with citizens," said Kaabi.

Nasr Harki, an accompanying lawmaker in the national legislature and a member of the parliamentary crisis cell, also spoke to Kurdistan 24 on the tour.

"The aim of the visit is to enhance coordination [between Erbil and Baghdad] in the fight against coronavirus."

According to the latest figures from the Iraqi Health Ministry, there have been 1,434 confirmed cases, including the Kurdistan Region, 856 recoveries as well as 80 deaths since the outbreak of coronavirus in Iraq.

To slow down the spread of the virus, the Iraqi government has taken strict precautionary measures, including a nation-wide curfew, suspension of religious and public gatherings.

Editing by Kosar Nawzad