[97480] Iraq: Ministry of Health freezes health insurance contracts for reorganization

The Iraqi Ministry of Health freezes health insurance contracts

The Iraqi Minister of Health, Abd al-Hussein al-Musawi, ordered today, Wednesday, an immediate cessation of the signing of new contracts and the renewal of existing contracts with medical institutions and clinics under the National Health Insurance Authority. The decision will remain in effect until the procedures for reforming the contractual engagement system are completed.

According to a report by جريدة الصباح العراقية and وكالة بغداد اليوم الاخبارية, the move comes as part of a broader push by the Ministry of Health to reorganize work processes in medical institutions.

The official Iraqi News Agency, وكالة الأنباء العراقية (واع), confirmed the report and noted that the order comes as part of an attempt to make necessary adjustments to the country's contractual mechanism in the medical field.

In a further report by الميادين عراق, a media outlet identified with critical and anti-Western positions in the region, it was clarified that the decision was made "with the aim of raising the quality of medical services provided under health insurance and ensuring the rights of patients."