Can developing countries face novel coronavirus outbreak alone? The Iraqi situation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Iraq, like six other Arab nations, reported cases of COVID-19 originating from recent travel to Iran.
• The country's public healthcare infrastructure is already strained by existing health issues and ongoing unrest.
• These pre-existing conditions exacerbate the challenges of managing a novel infectious disease outbreak.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the key challenges Iraq faces in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak.
• To highlight the urgent need for international support and specific interventions.
• To recommend policy measures for epidemic control.

Main Methods:

• The study is based on a review of the current situation and challenges in Iraq.
• It identifies six primary obstacles to COVID-19 containment.
• Analysis includes resource limitations and public health preparedness.

Main Results:

• Key challenges include a shortage of quarantine facilities, limited testing capacity (one lab in Baghdad), and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and ambulances.
• Low public awareness, inadequate hygiene preparations, and high rates of antibiotic resistance further complicate control efforts.
• Iraq's healthcare system is ill-equipped to handle the scale of the COVID-19 crisis alone.

Conclusions:

• Iraq requires substantial international assistance from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Essential support includes establishing more medical labs, high-standard quarantine facilities, and providing necessary medical equipment.
• Iraq must also implement stricter travel restrictions from affected countries to curb imported cases.