The Finnish Ambassador in Baghdad says there have been few improvements in Iraq’s healthcare system since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Finland is strengthening its support for two countries hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, with extra funding for healthcare initiatives in Iraq and Somalia.
In Iraq, the Finnish government is channeling €2 million through a United Nations agency to help the country’s healthcare system, including buying personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, to increase capabilities for testing labs, and to increase the number of isolation wards for people who become sick.
“The coronavirus situation in this country is not very positive. The restrictions have been very strict from the beginning, the curfew still goes on, but people are able to move around during daytime. But still we have nearly 50,000 cases and maybe 1,500 casualties. The numbers are pretty high” explains Vesa Häkkinen, Finland’s Ambassador in Iraq.
Finland has provided €11 million in aid to Iraq since 2011, and supports reconstruction in parts of the country that were liberated from Islamic State. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that terrorist organisation continue to be active in Iraq, trying to take advantage of the social and economic instability caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The healthcare system here is non-existent. To be honest, it’s very problematic. After Saddam’s year’s, from 2003 and onwards, there hasn’t been too many improvements, and the structure has been very weak. People are struggling to improve the system” Häkkinen tells News Now Finland in a phone interview from Baghdad.
“The World Health Organisation is helping a lot but Finland also saw the importance of facilitating improvements in the Iraqi healthcare system even just to handle this acute coronavirus crisis” he adds.
Healthcare help for Somalia increases
Meanwhile, Finland is also providing €3 million more to the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA for Somalia, to “safeguard the country’s sexual and reproductive health and rights”.
Sexual and reproductive health includes, for example, services related to maternal health, contraception and family planning.
“As with most crises, this pandemic has severely disrupted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and hampered efforts to respond to gender-based violence, at a time when women and girls need these services most” Anders Thomsen, UNFPA’s Country Representative in Somalia, says in a statement.
The funding will guarantee the cohesion of maternal health services and will also be given to obtain protective equipment and national coronavirus testing.
“In these times of crisis, we want to intensify our efforts, together with UNFPA and the government, to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in Somalia,” says Erik Lundberg, Finland’s Ambassador to Somalia.
Finland’s total aid commitment to Somalia in 2020 is now €6 million, and targeted assistance over recent years has helped Hegeisa hospital lower its infant mortality rate from 24% in 2014 to just 5% in 2017.
More than 700 health workers were trained with Finnish support during the same period.
Finland is really making a difference with their increased healthcare aid for Iraq and Somalia. The situation in Iraq seems dire, with the healthcare system struggling to cope with the impact of the virus. It’s crucial for international support to address these challenges effectively.
Finland is really stepping up its efforts to support Iraq and Somalia during this challenging time. It’s crucial that we provide the necessary resources and assistance to improve their healthcare systems and help combat the spread of the coronavirus. Kudos to Finland for their ongoing commitment to these countries’ well-being.
It’s crucial to see countries like Finland stepping up to provide aid to Iraq and Somalia during this challenging time. The support for healthcare initiatives, especially in improving testing capabilities and creating isolation wards, is much needed to combat the impacts of the coronavirus crisis. Kudos to Finland for their ongoing commitment to help those in need!
The efforts made by Finland to enhance healthcare support in Iraq and Somalia amidst the coronavirus crisis are truly commendable. Vesa Häkkinen’s insights reveal the dire situation in Iraq’s healthcare system and the urgent need for assistance. It is crucial to continue aiding these countries to combat the pandemic effectively.
It’s great to see Finland increasing aid for healthcare in Iraq and Somalia. The support is crucial during these challenging times, and it’s heartwarming to witness countries coming together to help those in need.
I believe it’s crucial for countries like Finland to continue supporting nations like Iraq and Somalia during these challenging times. The increased aid for healthcare initiatives is a step in the right direction to combat the impact of the coronavirus crisis and build stronger healthcare systems in these regions.
Is Finland also providing aid for healthcare initiatives in Somalia? I’m interested in how they are addressing the healthcare challenges there.
Yes, Finland is also stepping up its aid efforts in Somalia. The Finnish government is allocating €3 million to support healthcare initiatives in Somalia, focusing on improving medical infrastructure, providing essential medical supplies, and training healthcare workers to better respond to the pandemic. Finland’s commitment to assisting Somalia during these challenging times is commendable.
Finland is really stepping up its game by providing much-needed aid to improve healthcare systems in Iraq and Somalia during the challenging times of the coronavirus crisis. It’s crucial to support these countries in boosting their capabilities and protecting healthcare workers. Kudos to Finland for their dedication to making a difference in global health!
Finland is doing a commendable job by providing aid to Iraq and Somalia during the coronavirus crisis. It’s crucial to support healthcare systems in these countries to combat the pandemic effectively. Kudos to Finland for their efforts!
Finland is really stepping up its humanitarian efforts in Iraq and Somalia, especially during this challenging pandemic. It’s heartwarming to see countries coming together to support those in need. Healthcare is crucial in times like these, and I applaud Finland’s commitment to making a difference!
The efforts by Finland to ramp up aid for healthcare in Iraq and Somalia during the coronavirus crisis are truly commendable. It’s crucial to support these countries that are facing immense challenges, especially in their healthcare systems. Hopefully, this additional funding will bring some relief to the people in need.
The coronavirus situation in this country is not very positive. The restrictions have been very strict from the beginning, the curfew still goes on, but people are able to move around during daytime. But still we have nearly 50,000 cases and maybe 1,500 casualties. The numbers are pretty high.
Do you think the increased funding for healthcare in Iraq and Somalia will make a significant impact on the current coronavirus crisis situation in these countries?
Yes, I believe that the increased funding for healthcare in Iraq and Somalia will definitely make a significant impact on the current coronavirus crisis situation in these countries. Access to better resources and equipment for healthcare workers, improved testing capabilities, and more isolation wards will help in managing and controlling the spread of the virus more effectively. It’s crucial to support these healthcare initiatives to protect the vulnerable populations and combat the pandemic.