Nuclear Medicine in IRAQ: From a Pioneering Past to Future Progress

This review article explores the trajectory of nuclear medicine in Iraq from its pioneering establishment in 1956 to its re-emergence as a cornerstone of precision medicine. The foundation of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission facilitated early regional training and domestic isotope production, fostering a self-sufficient clinical healthcare system. However, decades of conflict, sanctions, and isolation ensued in between 1980 and 2003 led to a profound systemic collapse and the erosion of both technical capacities and human resource continuity. Post-2003 reconstruction catalyzed a profound transformation, supported by national healthcare policy reforms, private investment, and international cooperation through the International Atomic Energy Agency. The integration of hybrid imaging technologies, radiotheranostics access, and structured specialist training programs marked the onset of sustainable recovery. Despite notable progress, significant disparities persist, including limited geographic equity, absence of unified national governance, and inadequate interdisciplinary recognition of nuclear medicine's theranostic potential by other specialties. The Iraqi experience thus underscores the interplay between political stability, science policy, and international collaboration as determinants of multidisciplinary healthcare modernization in post-conflict settings, offering key lessons for rebuilding specialized medical infrastructure under constrained conditions.