Iraq – A new maternity ward in the Nineveh Plains
«In the framework of the project Salamtak 4 “Support to the provision of quality health services and improvement of infrastructures for communities in the Governorate of Nineveh affected by the conflict” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and carried out by Un Ponte Per and Solidarités International in coordination with the Iraqi government the maternity ward at the Primary Health Care Center of Hamam al-Alil has been officially inaugurated. »
On October 31st, 2023, in the presence of the Director of Health in Nineveh, the Director of Hamam al-Alil sub-district, civil society activists, community leaders, and medical staff, this event marked the culmination of efforts involving the support for medical and non-medical staff, the support to the PHCC logistic needs, the provision of furniture and medical equipment for the ward and the rehabilitation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructures and services.
Previously, the inhabitants of Hamam al-Alil Subdistrict had to undertake extensive travel to reach hospitals in Mosul to receive adequate care for prenatal and childbirth needs. The access to essential care significantly improved for the local population thanks to the initiatives undertaken by Un Ponte Per and Solidarités International as part of the Salamtak 4 project, which entailed equipping, furnishing, and opening the maternity ward.
Currently, the ward attends to approximately 2 to 3 deliveries daily, and provides an average of 250 consultations per month, alleviating the travel burden and the loss of time and resources for more than 39 surrounding villages, in addition to the district center. This development effectively serves over 120,000 residents of these villages. The facility offers crucial services encompassing prenatal and postnatal care, as well as educational programs addressing family planning and breastfeeding.
By supporting health leadership, this intervention aims to enhance the well-being and dignity of vulnerable communities in Mosul, Hamam al-Alil, and Bashiqa. The project focuses on several key areas, including bolstering the capacity to prevent and manage diseases related to sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, it involves providing high-quality primary and secondary health services, technical training for local health personnel, improving WASH and infrastructure, and managing these facilities in conflict-affected areas.