Iraqi Health System: Structural Challenges and Reform Recommendations

Iraqi healthcare system, once a model in the Middle East, has deteriorated over the past four decades due to war, sanctions, political instability, and chronic underfunding. Despite constitutional promises of universal health coverage and considerable national wealth from oil revenues, Iraq continues to face profound challenges in access, quality, and equity of healthcare. This paper explores seven interlinked challenges undermining the country’s healthcare delivery: deficits in primary care, human resources and dual practice, infrastructure and patient safety, governance and financing, health information systems, medical education and workforce production, and violence against healthcare providers. Drawing on recent evidence and reform efforts such as Health Resources and Services Availability Monitoring System (HeRAMS) and lessons from regional models like Turkey, the paper provides actionable recommendations aimed at rebuilding Iraq's health system into one that is equitable, resilient, and centered on primary healthcare.