Long queues for entry cards reported outside Kadhimiya Hospital in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Long queues formed outside Kadhimiya Hospital on Baghdad's Karkh side on Monday as citizens waited to obtain entry cards, with patients complaining of overcrowding and extended waiting times. Hospital visitors said the management recently introduced a new entry-card procedure that has lengthened delays, particularly during morning hours, making access to health services more difficult. Several people gathered outside the hospital were forced to wait outdoors until their card processing was completed, according to the accounts. Elderly patients and those with mobility issues were among those waiting in the lines for extended periods. It remained unclear whether officials would take steps such as deploying additional staff or setting up expedited lanes to ease the congestion. No further details were immediately available from hospital management.