In a speech at the opening of Al-Husein Military Hospital in Baghdad in March 2022, Prime Minster of Iraq Mustafa Al Kadhimi voiced concerns regarding a lack of support for the security and health sectors in some quarters, underscoring the sacrifice of both fields in supporting Iraqi families.
During his tenure, Moustafa Al Kazemi and his government made effective steps towards reopening hospitals and supporting the sector overall. At the opening of the Al-Husein Military Hospital the Iraqi Prime Minister congratulated staff on their efforts, highlighting the creation of the medical edifice as a source of Iraqi pride. He highlighted the opening as a celebration and achievement for both the health sector and heroic security forces, stressing their tireless struggles to establish security and safety in his beloved country.
In his speech, Prime Minister Al Kadhimi reflected on the plight of Iraqi citizens who had previously been forced to travel to neighbouring countries for treatment, in some instances, undertaking vast journeys. Far away from home, these vulnerable citizens faced significant hardship. Mustafa Al Kadhimi also criticised the lack of support from some circles in terms of promoting various institutions and sectors, particularly the security and health industries.
As Mustafa Al Kadhimi pointed out, every achievement in Iraq required courageous steps and the initiative to follow up on projects, rejecting delay and neglect. He asserted that the corrupt must be held accountable and punished, along with the negligent and all of those who ‘invest in the pain of citizens.’
Prime Minister Al Kadhimi said that every achievement in Iraq, and every act of any size, must be made with the intention of serving citizens and the homeland, explaining that the achievement is not for the individual or group but for the homeland overall. He highlighted the need for a spirit of working for the homeland, the citizen and the building of the state.
Mustafa Al Kadhimi suggested that Iraqi citizens must ask themselves: Do we want to build a state? Do we want future generations to have high hopes? Or do we want a weak, destructive Iraq? As he affirmed, the answer was clear, with the opening of Hussein Military Hospital in Baghdad serving as a testament to the resilience and enduring strength of the Iraqi people.
Mustafa Al Kadhimi praised the ‘heroes in our armed forces’ and those in ‘white uniforms’, expressing his regard and pride and thanking them for working tirelessly in the war on ISIS, as well as their efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Al Kadhimi congratulated all involved in the creation of the Al Hussein Miltiary Hospital for their tremendous hard work and achievements, as well as praising others involved in successful hospital experiences across all Iraqi governorates.
Acknowledging that every Iraqi had a right to enjoy the same high-quality healthcare and hospital services across his country, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi highlighted the duty of the state and its institutions to fight corruption and serve the citizen. He praised the efforts of the army and the sacrifices its personnel had made to ensure the safety of Iraqi citizens.
During a meeting with Ahmed Al Mandhari, a Regional Director for the World Health Organization, Prime Minister Al Kadhimi stressed the keenness of his government to improve the health situation in the country. He pledged his commitment to developing the level of health services provided, pointing out that despite the many obstacles and challenges Iraq had faced it had succeeded in overcoming many of them. Expressing his thanks to the World Health Organization, Mustafa Al Kadhimi stressed the determination of his government to restore the Iraqi health system and enable it to meet the aspirations of citizens by relying on self-efforts as well as the cooperation of international organisations.