Diyala Lawmaker's Spouse Named Hospital Director Amid Nepotism Dispute

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A parliament member from Diyala province has become the subject of political controversy after her husband was appointed to lead a major local hospital, with critics accusing her of using her position to secure the post. Zahraa Luqman, a member of the Badr Group in parliament, pushed for her husband Ahmed Amir Hadi, a consultant physician, to be appointed director of Al-Batul Training Hospital in Diyala. The hospital is the largest maternity and children's facility in the province. Luqman had previously applied to the Council of Ministers for her husband to be appointed to Baghdad Training Hospital, but that request was rejected. MP Ahmed al-Mussawi from the Sadiqun Group criticized the appointment on social media, calling for an end to institutional appointments being made based on kinship rather than qualifications. Luqman responded to the criticism, saying that some people are uncomfortable when those defending their rights are in the right place. Diyala residents also condemned what they described as favoritism by political parties in public sector appointments. Political researcher Muhammad al-Tai said distributing sensitive positions among parliament members and provincial council members based on kinship and party loyalty reduces administrative performance.