Respiratory medicine in Iraq – from the primitive to the advanced

: Healthcare in Iraq has seen significant decline over the past few decades. Political instability coupled with austerity due to conflict and war has become a major obstacle in the transition needed to restore acceptable healthcare standards. Respiratory medicine had remained under developed despite the potential benefit it could offer to many people suffering diseases of high prevalence. A dedicated team of experts carried out a feasibility study to create a specialist respiratory centre, ThiQar lung diseases (TQLD). Equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment, a paperless hospital information system and staff trained by specialists from the UK, the centre has reduced a significant healthcare gap. It now serves a large population catchment area and has helped offer people an alternative to seeking healthcare abroad.