As part of its plans to develop healthcare facilities in Islamic holy cities, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is set to build six healthcare centers and one hospital in three Iraqi cities, said Ali Mor’eshi, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Medical Center.
Referring to Iraq as a highly revered place for Muslims, being home to many important religious sites such as shrines of the Shia Imams, Mor’eshi said healthcare facilities in Karbala, Najaf and Kadhimiya cities would be built in collaboration with Iraq’s health ministry and through donations from Iranian philanthropists, ISNA reported.
“The construction of medical centers in Iraqi cities depends on donations from the Iran Health Charity Association and will begin as soon as the required funds are collected,” he noted, adding that the proposed medical facilities consist of one otolaryngology hospital in Najaf, three clinics in Karbala, two in Najaf, and one in Kadhimiya.
A hotel currently accommodating medical staff will be renovated and converted as an otolaryngology hospital, specializing in eye, ear, nose and throat ailments, Mor’eshi said. The hospital will be under Iranian management whereas the medical facilities will be managed in collaboration with Iraqi authorities.
The official also announced a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the Imam Hossein (AS) shrine in Iraq for treating impoverished Iraqis in Iranian hospitals at half the medical tariffs, “considering the high costs of medical services in Iraq.”
The IRCS has built medical facilities in 22 different countries as part of its humanitarian activities, the official noted.
Iran Health Charity Association’s deputy of humanitarian aid, Dr. Tabatabai said 192 centers will be set up to collect people’s charitable contributions, adding: “construction works will begin with the hospital in Najaf as soon as sufficient funds are collected.”
