Abubakir Saleh

Evaluation of Decenteralizing Health Reform in Kurdistan Region, Iraq: the Case of Barzan District Abubakir Saleh

This book reviews the different aspects of implementation of the decentralized health reforms in Kurdistan region, Iraq such as: preparation and planning; policy formation; the approach to introducing these reforms; difference in approach among different districts; problems during implementation, different strategies for coping with these problems, and recommendations for future development of these reforms. Many problems arose during implementation, including lack of trained and experienced staffs; scarcity of modern buildings; inadequate financial resources; problems in communication; unclear boundaries of authority between districts and the centre; lack of supervision and monitoring from the centre; shortage of medical and other service equipment, and political interference in the implementation of these reform. Several recommendations were made for the future development of these reforms such as: increasing experienced and trained staff, opening local branches of all central departments in these districts, more use of information technology, better supervision and monitoring from the centre, and more coordination and cooperation between these districts and the centre.