Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani signs documents at his office in Baghdad
Iraq forms committee to resolve medical graduates’ appointment delays
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Sunday ordered the formation of a special committee to resolve long-standing delays in appointing medical graduates and healthcare professionals, directing it to complete its work within two weeks.
According to a statement from Al-Sudani’s office, the committee will be chaired by the health minister and include the head of the Iraqi Doctors Syndicate, representatives from the Federal Service Council and Finance Ministry, and a delegation of young doctors. The panel was tasked with “taking practical steps to resolve the issue of medical internship requirements for graduates of medical colleges and health professions,” and to ensure graduates can “complete the legal training periods that qualify them to work in their specialties within both the private sector and medical services.”
The move follows nationwide protests in October by medical residents, interns, and professional unions demanding appointments for 2024 graduates and clear timelines for placements. Demonstrators also called for the swift hiring of graduates from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts and exemption from federal budget constraints.
Protesters warned that hospitals were becoming understaffed, and some facilities had reduced operations. Many carried signs reading, “Appointing 2024 doctors is our demand,” and “Citizens’ lives are more important than the budget deficit.”
In response, Health Ministry spokesperson Seif Al-Badr rejected claims of disruption. “I deny the existence of any delay or disruption in the work of all Ministry of Health institutions,” he said. “All ministry employees, including those in medical, nursing, health, and administrative specialties, are performing their duties according to official government regulations.”
Earlier this month, the Iraqi Medical Residents’ Association launched a national strike beginning Oct. 15, warning the delays posed “a direct threat to the country’s health system.” The group said the strike would be gradual, excluding emergency departments, and would continue until doctors’ “legitimate and constitutional demands” are met.
The Kurdistan Region faces similar issues, where prolonged protests ended after the appointment of 775 medical graduates from the 2023–2024 cohort. Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani approved the order on Sept. 1, citing an “urgent need” for resident doctors in regional health institutions.