Health Week Campaign Inside Correctional Facilities in Sulaymaniyah
2026-08-16
Health Week Campaign Inside Correctional Facilities in Sulaymaniyah Governorate
Period: 9–13 August 2026
Location: Correctional Facilities and Prisons of Sulaymaniyah Governorate – Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Organizers: Health institutions and relevant authorities, civil society organizations, health institutions, the private health sector, companies, and supporting entities
I. Introduction
As part of the Health Week activities in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and with the aim of promoting public health, preventing diseases, and improving the health environment inside correctional institutions, a health and humanitarian campaign was implemented inside the correctional facilities and prisons of Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The campaign was carried out through cooperation and coordination among government health institutions, civil society organizations, private health institutions, and a number of companies and supporting entities.
The HUMAN Network for Health and Humanitarian Work participated in the campaign based on its belief that the right to health and healthcare applies to all members of society, including prisoners and detainees inside correctional institutions.
II. Objectives of the Campaign
The campaign aimed to:
Raise health awareness among prisoners and detainees.
Promote a culture of disease prevention and awareness of health risks.
Raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and their health, social, and psychological consequences.
Support a healthy and hygienic environment inside correctional facilities.
Strengthen cooperation among health institutions, civil society organizations, and the private health sector.
Encourage prisoners to participate in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Promote the concept of rehabilitation and social reintegration through health and humanitarian awareness.
III. HUMAN Network’s Participation
The HUMAN Network for Health and Humanitarian Work played a direct role in the campaign activities by conducting an awareness seminar for prisoners on drug prevention and combating drug abuse.
The seminar addressed several important topics, including:
The concept of drugs, their different types, and the reasons behind their spread.
The health, psychological, and social effects of drug use.
The impact of drugs on individuals, families, and society.
The risks of addiction and ways to prevent it.
The importance of seeking assistance, treatment, and rehabilitation.
The role of individuals, communities, and institutions in combating drug abuse.
Emphasizing that a person suffering from addiction needs treatment, rehabilitation, and support, rather than social stigma alone.
The importance of making use of prisoners’ time inside correctional facilities for awareness, rehabilitation, and developing positive healthy behaviors.
An open discussion was also held with the participants, allowing them to express their views and ask questions. They were encouraged to adopt healthy behaviors and avoid risks associated with drug use and addiction.
IV. Participation in Field Activities
In addition to the awareness-raising activity, the HUMAN Network participated in the campaign’s field activities, including the distribution of materials and supplies provided for the campaign, as well as cleaning and organizing correctional facilities, in cooperation with the participating institutions, organizations, and relevant entities.
These activities aimed to support general cleanliness, improve the internal environment of the correctional facilities, and promote a culture of participation and collective responsibility in maintaining a healthy and safe environment.
V. Partnership and Coordination
The campaign was characterized by the participation and cooperation of a number of entities, including:
Government health institutions.
The Correctional Facilities Administration and relevant authorities.
Civil society organizations.
Health institutions and organizations.
Private health institutions.
Companies and supporting entities.
This cooperation reflects the importance of partnership among the government sector, civil society, and the private sector in implementing health and humanitarian initiatives.
VI. Results
The campaign contributed to:
Increasing prisoners’ awareness of the risks associated with drug abuse.
Strengthening knowledge about addiction prevention and its associated risks.
Providing a space for dialogue and discussion on drug-related and health issues.
Encouraging participation in maintaining cleanliness and a healthy environment inside correctional facilities.
Strengthening cooperation between HUMAN and health and correctional institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Supporting the concept of health and rehabilitation as essential components of the process of reforming and reintegrating prisoners into society.
VII. Recommendations
The HUMAN Network for Health and Humanitarian Work recommends the following:
Continue implementing health and awareness campaigns inside correctional facilities on a regular basis.
Incorporate drug prevention and addiction awareness programs into rehabilitation programs for prisoners.
Strengthen psychological and social support services and rehabilitation programs.
Organize regular health seminars and training courses inside correctional facilities.
Strengthen cooperation among health institutions, correctional facility administrations, and civil society organizations.
Engage the private health sector and companies in supporting health and humanitarian programs inside correctional facilities.
Continue hygiene and environmental health campaigns and improve health conditions inside prisons and correctional facilities.
Adopt a humane and rehabilitation-oriented approach when dealing with people suffering from addiction, and encourage them to seek treatment and assistance.
VIII. Conclusion
The HUMAN Network for Health and Humanitarian Work reaffirms that health is a right for everyone, and that providing health awareness, healthcare, and a clean environment inside correctional facilities is an important part of protecting public health and human rights.
The participation of HUMAN in Health Week activities inside the correctional facilities of Sulaymaniyah Governorate provided an important opportunity to combine health awareness, drug prevention, humanitarian and community work, and efforts to improve the health environment inside correctional facilities.
The Network reaffirms its readiness to continue cooperation with health institutions, correctional facility administrations, civil society organizations, and the private sector to implement sustainable health and humanitarian programs that serve prisoners and support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.