Across Iraq, many rural and isolated communities are deprived of basic health services because fixed primary health facilities are located considerable distances away. The limited access to health information has left individuals with little understanding of health, disease prevention or the public health services available. Many of the existing health facilities have not changed in more than 20 years leaving the local population with uncertainty of the services available.

In February this year we commenced our support of a rural clinic in in Karmat Ali, Basra in partnership with the Amar Foundation. The Abu-Sakher clinic serves an average population of 4-6,000 people and its staff are fully integrated into the Ministry of Health (MoH) system and seek to strengthen MoH professional and institutional capacity.

The Health Post provides a professional doctor and nursing services to individuals living in areas with limited access to fixed primary health care facilities and services.

The Health Post also supports the work of 20 Women Health Volunteers (WHVs) to conduct home visits in the community. The WHVs deliver health education and health advice directly into the family unit, and strengthen community links with and trust in the governments’ health system.