Evaluation of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in the pandemic response in Iraq: pandemic preparation within a recovering healthcare infrastructure

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate Iraq’s health facility preparedness for the surge of hospitalised cases associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we review pandemic preparedness at both general and tertiary hospitals throughout all districts of Iraq. COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, for the purpose of this review, is defined as: (1) staff to patient ratio, (2) personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff ratio, (3) infection control measures training and compliance and (4) laboratory and surveillance capacity. Despite the designation of facilities as COVID-19 referral hospitals, we did not find any increased preparedness with regard to staffing and PPE allocation. COVID-19 designated hospital reported an increased mean number of respiratory therapists as well as sufficient intensive care unit staff, but this did not reach significant levels. Non-COVID-19 facilities tended to have higher mean numbers of registered nurses, cleaning staff and laboratory staff, whereas the COVID-19 facilities were allocated additional N-95 masks (554.54 vs 147.76), gowns (226.72 vs 104.14) and boot coverings (170.48 vs 86.8) per 10 staff, but none of these differences were statistically significant. Though COVID-19 facilities were able to make increased requisitions for PPE supplies, all facility types reported unfulfilled requisitions, which is more likely a reflection of global storage rather than Iraq’s preparedness for the pandemic. Incorporating future pandemic preparedness into health system strengthening efforts across facilities, including supplies, staffing and training acquisition, retention and training, are critical to Iraq’s future success in mitigating the ongoing impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A higher education snapshot of nutrition degree programs in Iraq: implications for public health and nutrition practice

“…The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 resulted in the collapse of the Iraqi healthcare system, public health infrastructure and healthcare professional training programs. In conjunction with civil and political conflict, weakened healthcare systems, the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of health promotion programs, there have been increases in food insecurity, nutrition-related disease burden, urbanization and substantial population growth (Amde et al, 2014;Al Hilfi et al, 2013;Moazzem Hossain et al, 2022). Burdened by undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity as a consequence of both emergency situations and nutrition transition, Iraq is in need of adequately educated and prepared nutrition professionals, trained to mitigate malnutrition risks and other nutrition-related comorbidities (Woertz, 2019;Woertz, 2017;Hwalla et al, 2016;Al-Ani et al, 2020; Nutrition degree programs in Iraq Jasim et al, 2018;Joury et al, 2016;Mansour et al, 2012, United Nations Department of Economic andSocial Affairs Sustainable Development, 2024).…”