No Hospital, No Jobs: Hamam al-Alil Cries for Help

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The subdistrict of Hamam al-Alil, nestled just south of Mosul, is reeling from a dire shortage of essential public services, leaving its more than 150,000 residents in a state of ongoing hardship.

Despite its size and the presence of over 80 surrounding villages, the area remains without a functioning hospital, forcing citizens to make long journeys to Mosul even in medical emergencies.

The absence of adequate healthcare infrastructure is just one facet of a wider crisis. The lack of employment opportunities, deteriorating roads, limited electricity, and substandard education are compounding the daily struggles of Hamam al-Alil's population, particularly its youth.

Mohammed Ahmed, a local taxi driver, expressed the mounting frustration of the community to Kurdistan24. “There are no hospitals here. If someone gets sick, we have to take them to Mosul, which is very far. We demand the construction of a hospital in Hamam al-Alil, especially for children and women. We also suffer from unemployment and are forced to work as taxi drivers because there are no job opportunities or government appointments,” he said.

Another resident, Salim Taha, echoed these concerns, calling for urgent intervention. “Hamam al-Alil has no hospital and lacks basic services. We call on the governor to step in and help us,” he urged.

Responding to the growing outcry, Sirwan Rojbayani, the First Deputy Governor of Nineveh, paid a visit to the area accompanied by officials from several governmental departments. Speaking to Kurdistan24, Rojbayani emphasized the local administration’s commitment to equitable service provision across Nineveh.

“Our goal is to provide services to all communities in Nineveh. We will conduct further visits, including a trip to Qayyarah subdistrict, to meet residents and listen to their demands,” he said.

Addressing the primary issue of healthcare infrastructure, Rojbayani cited complications related to land ownership as a key obstacle. “Any land designated for a hospital must be registered in the name of the Ministry of Health. We are planning a visit to Baghdad to resolve this issue and find suitable solutions,” he explained.

For the people of Hamam al-Alil, these words offer a glimmer of hope, but many remain skeptical until concrete steps are taken. Beyond healthcare, the community is pleading for development projects that can bring reliable electricity, repair crumbling roads, and most importantly, generate employment for the area’s struggling youth.

Years after the liberation of Mosul and its surrounding areas from ISIS, many parts of Nineveh province are still grappling with the aftermath of war and the slow pace of reconstruction. Hamam al-Alil, despite its size and strategic location, exemplifies the challenges faced by many communities left behind in Iraq’s post-conflict recovery.

As Nineveh’s officials prepare for further engagements with Baghdad, the people of Hamam al-Alil are hoping that their long-neglected needs will finally be addressed with lasting solutions rather than temporary promises.