Iraq to expand health insurance to nine provinces, ministry says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Health Insurance Fund plans to extend coverage to nine provinces, including Basra, Maysan, Dhi Qar, Babil, Kirkuk, Karbala, Anbar, Najaf and Nineveh, the fund's director general, Ali Ahmed Obeid, said. Obeid said the Health Insurance Fund, which operates under the Ministry of Health, is coordinating with local administrations to open new branches and resolve financial and administrative obstacles. He added that late approval of the central budget had negatively affected the project's allocations and funding, prompting the fund to seek support from provincial authorities. The official said work to open health insurance branches in the targeted provinces has been accelerated and that further expansion is planned in later stages. Workshops and awareness programs on health insurance regulations, available medical services and care have continued in several provinces. Obeid added that administrative and technical staff preparation is being increased, with registration procedures simplified to improve service quality for citizens. No timeline for the rollout was provided.