Health ministry pledges action

Doctors in Salah Al-Din to shut clinics to protest Tikrit hospital assault

SALAH AL-DIN — The Medical Syndicate Council in Salah al-Din announced the closure of all private clinics on Sunday in protest against an assault on doctors and employees at Tikrit Teaching Hospital yesterday.

The incident, which occurred Saturday, saw several individuals attack hospital staff, injuring two employees and raising concerns over the safety of medical personnel across Iraq.

Following an emergency meeting, the council issued a statement: “The syndicate has decided to shut down all clinics tomorrow as a one-day protest against the disgraceful attack on our esteemed doctors. If such incidents recur, we will escalate our response further.”

The Ministry of Health condemned the assault and pledged legal action against the perpetrators. Health Minister Dr. Saleh Al-Hassnawi instructed the ministry to coordinate with security and judicial authorities in Salah al-Din to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

“The Ministry of Health is closely following up on the assault against one of our health institutions and its staff in Salah al-Din Governorate. Legal measures have been taken, and the perpetrators will be referred to justice,” the ministry said in a statement.

Assaults on healthcare professionals have long been a problem in Iraq. A 2021 study revealed that 87.3% of doctors surveyed in 11 Baghdad hospitals had experienced workplace violence over a six-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also reported that violence against health workers and patients in Iraq has undermined the safe and impartial delivery of healthcare services.