Roundtable on Health Challenges in Chamchamal
2025-10-06
Roundtable on Health Challenges in Chamchamal
Date: September 30, 2025
Venue: Health Directorate Hall
Organized by: Human Network for Health and Humanitarian Work
Introduction:
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the health system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Human Network for Health and Humanitarian Work held a roundtable meeting on September 30, 2025, in Chamchamal.
The event aimed to discuss the major challenges and obstacles facing the local health sector and to explore practical solutions through open dialogue among representatives of key institutions, academia, and civil society organizations.
Participants:
The meeting brought together representatives from the following entities:
- Chamchamal Directorate of Health
- Directors of hospitals and primary health centers
- Emergency Department and Blood Bank
- Preventive Health and Health Media Departments
- Garmian University (University of Garmian)
- Local civil society organizations
- Elderly representatives
- Women’s representative
The session was facilitated by the Human Network team, who emphasized the importance of coordination and partnership among all stakeholders to improve the quality of healthcare services.
Main Discussion Topics:
- The discussions focused on several key issues, including:
- Shortage of medical and nursing staff in some health facilities.
- Weak infrastructure and limited medical equipment, especially in rural and remote areas.
- Lack of sustainable community health awareness programs.
- The need to strengthen preventive health and vaccination programs and improve communication between prevention units and health centers.
- Integrating mental health services as an essential part of the public health system.
- Enhancing coordination between government institutions and civil society organizations to support community health initiatives.
- Prioritizing vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities.
Outcomes and Recommendations:
Participants agreed on a set of actionable recommendations, including:
- Establishing a joint permanent committee representing all key health and civil society stakeholders to follow up on identified issues.
- Developing a local action plan to improve healthcare services based on shared priorities.
- Expanding public health awareness campaigns through local media, schools, and community organizations.
- Collaborating with Garmian University to launch training and volunteer programs for medical and nursing students in local health institutions.
- Supporting primary healthcare initiatives, particularly those focusing on the elderly and women’s health.
- Submitting the meeting’s outcomes to the Ministry of Health and relevant institutions for further action and support.
Conclusion:
At the end of the meeting, participants reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular dialogue platforms that bring together all stakeholders to exchange experiences and develop shared visions for improving the health situation in Chamchamal.
The Human Network for Health and Humanitarian Work expressed its appreciation to all attendees and confirmed its ongoing commitment to strengthening coordination and collaborative planning in order to promote community health and well-being.