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MoH and WHO launch National Health Account for Iraq

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Baghdad, 23 January, 2013- The Ministry of Health Iraq in collaboration with World Health Organization launched The National Health Account for Iraq on Wednesday 23 January in Baghdad during a big ceremony attended by key senior level policy makers from the Iraqi Parliament, Ministry Of Health as well as representatives from ministries, Syndicates, Academia, Civil Society Organizations, Donors UN Partners and Media.

H.E. Dr Majeed Hamad Amin, the Minister of Health Iraq said “The National Health Accounts represents a major step forward in the development of a complete picture of health expenditures in Iraq not only for public-sector spending, but also private sector contributions and activities and helps us develop sound health care policies that would decrease the financial burden of healthcare on families.

“The National Health Accounts is an important tool that helps the government to accomplish its objective of achieving universal coverage through provision of quality and affordable health services which will not drive population into poverty due to health costs” said Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, The WHO representative in Iraq.

The Ministry of Health with the assistance of partners especially WHO is firmly committed to institutionalize the NHA, expand it and make it a necessary component of its priority interventions aiming to improve accountability and responsiveness of health system towards its users.

Dr Syed added “We must acknowledge the challenges which have been encountered by the Ministry of Health and partners during the conduction of NHA” and stressed that despite the shortages of trained health workforce on NHA and its techniques and the prevailing security situation a quality product was produced which has provided the government with a comprehensive information about the flow of resources into health care system and their utilization for different programs.

Worth to mention that, the NHA methodology is used by more than 100 low- and middle-income countries to aid in decision-making on health financing. According to international standards the NHA has to be conducted after every 2 years. And the 2 nd round of NHA will be initiated in Iraq this year with the technical assistance of WHO to establish a solid foundation for the policy makers and planners and thus makes the prioritization of health resources more rational and evidence based.

For more information:

RUBA HIKMAT |Technical Officerو | World Health Organization, Iraq Office
Mobile: +962 (0) 799 499 455 | Phone: +962 6 5510438 | hikmatr@irq.emro.who.int | www.emro.who.int/iraq