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Iraq cancels free healthcare system

MEMO – January 25, 2016

Iraqi citizens are now being asked for fees at healthcare facilities around the country, a source at the Ministry of Health has informed Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The oil-rich country has offered a free healthcare system since 1970.

The source said the ministry sent letters and a 10-page report to hospitals and clinic asking them to collect fees from patients to cover the cost of treatment after the deficit caused by the sharp decline in oil prices.

Many have warned that this could lead to a dangerous situation in public health due to the severe poverty in the country.

The ministry is looking into pricing medicines and services across the country.

Iraqis expressed their anger with the decision amid the difficult economic situation which they are facing.

Patient Raghib Hassan said: “During my visit to a government hospital in Baghdad, I was surprised that I was asked to pay for the medical examination, x-ray, medical tests and treatment.”

“This means that one visit to a government hospital needs between 30,000 to 50,000 [Iraqi] dinars ($27-$45).”

January 25, 2016 - Posted by | Economics | ,

2 Comments »

  1. Further proof, that Uncle Sam’s Corporations have decided that there will be large ongoing profits to be made from an American dominated Iraq.
    The USA would love to see Australia’s National Health System destroyed, so that their Corporations can make massive profits, as they already do in the USA.(They have tried to include it in previous “Free Trade” agreements, but so far. Australia has said “No Deal”) But, they’re still working away at it, and our current Conservative government are the best chance they’ll ever get.

    Like

    Brian Harry, Australia's avatar Comment by Brian Harry, Australia | January 25, 2016 | Reply

  2. That is what the American Government and the US Rentier Elite call a “Progressive Move”.
    Yes the White House Vampires are buggering up everywhere Obama licking arse so he can stay Front Puppet.

    Like

    Dugoth's avatar Comment by Dugoth | January 26, 2016 | Reply


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