Dhi Qar heart hospital appeals for donations amid funding shortage

NASIRIYAH, Iraq — The administration of Nasiriyah Heart Hospital, the largest cardiac facility in southern Iraq, has appealed to local business owners, merchants, contractors and members of the public for donations, citing financial difficulties and a shortage of medical supplies. A statement from the hospital said the appeal was made on the recommendation of Health Minister Abdulhussein al-Musawi. It added that the facility is facing shortfalls in medicines, medical supplies, equipment and furniture, and needs support to continue providing care to patients. On July 30, al-Musawi said the government was contending with a liquidity crisis and that securing public-sector salaries had become a priority. He said the monthly salary obligation amounts to 10.8 trillion Iraqi dinars. Hospital officials said donations would help maintain services and improve the care environment. The administration did not specify the size of the funding gap or which supplies were most urgently needed.