Politics

WHO 'impressed' with Kurdistan Region's coronavirus response

The outgoing representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Iraq, Adham Ismail, on Tuesday expressed his optimism about the Kurdistan Region’s ability to ultimately contain the coronavirus pandemic within its borders, expressing the organization's willingness to help the autonomous region of Iraq to obtain vaccine doses once they are manufactured.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/11/24 15:21

kurdistan Kurdistan WHO Iraq COVID-19 Coronavirus Health

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The outgoing representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Iraq, Adham Ismail, on Tuesday expressed his optimism about the Kurdistan Region’s ability to ultimately contain the coronavirus pandemic within its borders, expressing the organization's willingness to help the autonomous region of Iraq to obtain vaccine doses once they are manufactured.

Saman, Barjinjy, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Health, met with Ismail earlier that day to discuss the developments in combating the coronavirus, including curbing the spread in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

It was the final scheduled meeting between the two as Ismail completes his tenure heading the WHO's Iraq office.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Ismail said that he was "impressed with the health institutions and the Ministry of Health in Kurdistan who cooperated with the WHO in preparing plans to contain the virus amongst the people, the IDPs, and refugees in the region."

He explained that, as in the rest of the world, part of the blame for rising numbers of infections falls on health institutions, but, he argued, citizens must adhere to health restrictions issued by the government.

"After awareness campaigns in Sulaimani, Erbil, and Dohuk, we noticed a good commitment by citizens in recent months and this is a sign that they are more aware of the situation and the importance of preventive measures."

He also remarked, "It is good that so far the region's hospitals do not suffer from a lack of oxygen."

Regional health authorities on Tuesday announced another 500 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the total to over 94,000 cases since the advent of the pandemic in the region.

"I am optimistic that the region will control the pandemic and there is good cooperation from Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in eradicating coronavirus," Ismail added, pointing out that the WHO has recently opened "three centers for coronavirus in Erbil, Sulaimani, and Dohuk, and I am optimistic that this cooperation will continue and we will continue to support the Ministry of Health in the best of our capacities."

"We will help the region to conclude contracts with foreign companies to obtain a vaccine, but until now there has been no vaccine that has obtained the approval of the World Health Organization," Ismail said, but added, "I am optimistic that we will get the vaccine for the region, but I assure you that during this winter there will be no vaccine available, and the citizens have to abide by preventive measures during this period."

Editing by John J. Catherine