Over 1,000 health graduates protest in Baghdad, met with force by security
The Ministry of Health’s amendment to the employment law has particularly affected graduates in fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, medical techniques, and disease analysis.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – More than 1,000 health graduates from across Iraq gathered in Baghdad to protest in front of the Ministry of Health building, demanding employment opportunities.
However, the peaceful demonstration was met with force by security personnel.
The protesters, who are all recent health graduates, are calling for their right to central direct employment.
The Ministry of Health recently suspended the old law allowing graduates' employment, pending amendments to the health professions law.
The large turnout led to tensions with security forces, who intervened to disperse the crowd. Several demonstrators were injured in the process, highlighting a troubling trend in Iraq where university graduates are increasingly resorting to protests to demand their rights, only to be met with violence instead of solutions.
The Ministry of Health’s amendment to the employment law has particularly affected graduates in fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, medical techniques, and disease analysis.
These graduates are now ineligible for public sector employment due to an oversupply of professionals in these specialties within public hospitals. The situation has left many young professionals frustrated and uncertain about their future prospects.
