Category: News

Posted on

New COVID-19 Isolation Unit at Soran Hospital

Ministry of Health Kurdistan, UNFPA open COVID-19 isolation unit at Soran maternity hospital

The Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government through the Directorate of Health in Erbil, with support from UNFPA opened a COVID-19 isolation unit at the Soran Maternity hospital in Erbil on 3 February 2021.

The isolation unit has the capacity to treat up to six women at once. It was equipped with medical supplies, Personal Protective Equipment, six examination beds and two delivery beds worth US$ 100,000.

The facility that provides daily around-the clock care, is fully equipped by UNFPA and the Soran hospital administration. The staff are also provided with PPEs and medical supplies and have been trained on national guidelines on management of pregnancy and child birth during COVID19.

In addition to the isolation unit at Soran maternity hospital, UNFPA, with funding from the Swedish Government, supported the establishment of isolation units for COVID-19 at maternity hospitals in Zakho, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja.

UNFPA Deputy Representative, Mr. Himyar Abdulmoghni spoke on the occasion and said:

“All childbirths should be safe at all times and no woman should be denied quality reproductive health services under any circumstances, including crises and pandemics. We are working with the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan Region to ensure quality services to all pregnant women and safe deliveries despite COVID-19.”

Dr Mahabad Dilawar, the Head of Soran Maternity Hospital, thanked UNFPA for the efforts in building the isolation unit saying:

“We are saving time and cost for pregnant women who had to travel long distances to deliver their babies. Through this isolation unit, we serve quality services to pregnant women with COVID-19.”

UNFPA supports the Kurdistan Regional Government to strengthen the health system’s capacity, provide essential supplies, improve access to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services, and promote risk communication and community engagement.

(Source: UN)

The post New COVID-19 Isolation Unit at Soran Hospital first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

WFP, World Bank partner on Socio-Economic Research in Iraq

WFP and the World Bank partner on socio-economic research in Iraq

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Bank are partnering on gathering key data on the impacts of COVID-19 on households, including people who are displaced, in camps, and those who have returned to their areas, as well as host communities.

The surveys and analysis use WFP’s mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) system; going beyond food insecurity and regularly collecting vital information on labor markets, access to health services and child education, providing up-to-date snapshots of people’s socio-economic status on the ground during the pandemic.

Beside collaborating on the design of the study, the World Bank have contributed financially to sustain the data collection.

“Iraq’s multifaceted crisis has severely impacted the livelihoods of the Iraqi people,” said World Bank Iraq Representative Ramzi Neman. “The continuation of this study will provide a better understanding of the socio-economic impact of the crisis on the living conditions of households and thus better inform social protection programs aimed at bringing immediate relief to the most vulnerable.”

With ongoing economic pressures and the resulting devaluation of the Iraqi currency, prices of some essential food items have risen, and families are further impacted. The research is being used for multiple purposes and provide the government, humanitarian and development communities with information to allow for evidence-based decisions on their pandemic response and support for the most vulnerable families. Additionally, the study supports a sustainable system to help monitor socio-economic changes and household needs.

Once analyzed, the data and findings will also form the basis of key bulletins and reports, such as the ongoing series published by WFP and the World Bank in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

“WFP thanks the World Bank for its generous contribution towards this important research partnership, which is supporting informed planning and decision-making by key actors in Iraq,” said WFP Iraq Representative Abdirahman Meygag. “Knowing more means being able to do more and do it right. Together our work can help vulnerable families in the most effective way possible.”

WFP and the World Bank both continue to work with the government on social protection efforts as well as the design of major reforms in the sector, to best meet families’ needs now and in the long-term.

(Source: UN)

The post WFP, World Bank partner on Socio-Economic Research in Iraq first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

Oil Exports Slightly Up for January

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced initial oil exports for January of 88,922,697 barrels, giving an average for the month of 2.868 million barrels per day (bpd), up from the 2.846 million bpd exported in December.

These exports from the oilfields in central and southern Iraq amounted to approximately 85,870,503 barrels, while exports from Kirkuk amounted to 3,052,194 barrels.

Revenues for the month were $4.739 billion at an average price of $53.294 per barrel.

December’s export figures can be found here.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

The post Oil Exports Slightly Up for January first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

Russian Oil Firm to Finance Nassiriyah Development

By John Lee.

The Dhi Qar Oil Company (DQOC) has reportedly said that Litasco, the international marketing and trading company of Russia’s LUKOIL, will finance the doubling of capacity at the Nassiriyah oil field from 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) t0 200,000 bpd.

The project includes a 42-kilometer pipeline, and will be a joint venture between the State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) and Italy’s Progetti.

(Source: Shafaq)

The post Russian Oil Firm to Finance Nassiriyah Development first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

Iraq and Total sign MoU for “Large Projects”

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French oil company Total.

According to a statement from the Ministry, both sides have “achieved advanced cooperation steps towards implementing large projects in the oil and energy sector.”

The document was signed in Baghdad by Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail and the CEO of Total, Patrick Pouyanné.

(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Oil)

The post Iraq and Total sign MoU for “Large Projects” first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

French Petroleum Consultancy meets Iraqi Oil Minister

By John Lee.

French petroleum consultancy Beicip-Franlab met with Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail in Baghdad on Wednesday to discuss strategic plans to develop oil and gas fields in the country.

Among those in attendance were the company’s Chairman and CEO, Jean Burrus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Aubert.

(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Oil)

The post French Petroleum Consultancy meets Iraqi Oil Minister first appeared on Iraq Business News.

Posted on

Iraq approves Paris Climate Accord

By Al Monitor staff. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraq approves Paris climate accord in step toward curtailing oil dependence

Iraq faces significant hurdles in transitioning to an economy without oil dependence, and future trends can be expected to exacerbate those challenges.

Click here to read the full article.

The post Iraq approves Paris Climate Accord first appeared on Iraq Business News.