Latest news with #HealthDirectorate
Shafaq News
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Hundreds fight for breath: Iraq choked by deadly dust
Shafaq News/ A severe dust storm swept across northern Iraq on Monday, hospitalizing hundreds and triggering a fatal crash, health and security officials reported. In Diyala province, over 300 people were treated for respiratory distress, Faris al-Azzawi, spokesperson for the provincial Health Directorate, told Shafaq News, adding, 'No critical cases have been recorded so far.' A traffic collision killed three people and injured five. 'The crash was directly caused by low visibility during the storm,' a local security source said. Meanwhile, in Kirkuk, at least 30 residents were hospitalized after the storm advanced from neighboring Saladin province. Iraq experiences seasonal dust storms from late spring through summer, though forecasters expect milder conditions in the second half of May, according to an Iraqi meteorologist.
Shafaq News
20-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Race against the sand: Al-Sulaimaniyah aims to rescue Iraq from desertification
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, al-Sulaimaniyah Governor Haval Abu Bakr warned of mounting climate-related challenges across Iraq, calling for urgent national action to confront the growing risks of desertification, pollution, and water scarcity. Abu Bakr said that desertification and pollution pose a serious threat to all Iraqi regions but emphasized that the Kurdistan Region—and al-Sulaimaniyah in particular—could play a leading role in addressing the crisis. He cited the province's green spaces, clean water resources, distance from major pollution sources, and high levels of public environmental awareness as key advantages. He warned that failure to address these issues scientifically could trigger internal displacement from central and southern provinces toward the Kurdistan Region, potentially leading to demographic shifts, pressure on job markets, and social unrest similar to patterns seen in other parts of the world. To help mitigate the crisis, al-Sulaimaniyah administration has requested 1.5 billion Iraqi dinars ($1.1 million) from the Kurdistan Regional Government to expand access to potable water. Abu Bakr confirmed the funding has been approved and that infrastructure projects are underway. Abu Bakr also pointed to this year's rainfall, which he said reached only half of last year's levels. However, he downplayed the immediate threat, noting that desertification trends cannot be judged based on a single season. On the public health front, the governor said al-Sulaimaniyah continues to take environmental and epidemic-related health threats seriously. He cited the province's early and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a model, highlighting the establishment of crisis units and health teams under the supervision of the Health Directorate. 'Similar teams remain active and ready to respond to future outbreaks,' he said. Abu Bakr acknowledged ongoing shortages of essential medications in some hospitals and noted that the provincial government has repeatedly requested the release of federal funds allocated for pharmaceuticals. In the meantime, al-Sulaimaniyah has redirected portions of its local budget to maintain drug supplies and avoid disruptions in patient care. On the political front, the governor addressed speculation about the appointment of a new provincial leader, stating that the legal process remains suspended due to the dissolution of provincial councils in both Kurdistan and Iraq. He explained that under the previous law, governors were elected from within provincial councils, but the absence of such bodies has stalled the legal mechanism for succession. Abu Bakr said al-Sulaimaniyah administration has submitted multiple proposals to political parties advocating for legislative elections but noted that no clear solutions have emerged. He stressed that any transfer of authority must be based on a formal order from the Kurdistan Region's presidency or relevant institutions. Concluding his remarks, Abu Bakr urged urgent and comprehensive solutions to Iraq's intertwined environmental and administrative challenges. He affirmed that al-Sulaimaniyah can be a central player in addressing ecological crises, not only within Iraq but across the wider region.
Shafaq News
29-03-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Haemorrhagic fever hits Mosul: First case confirmed
Shafaq News/ A 13-year-old child has been confirmed as the first case of haemorrhagic fever in Nineveh province, health authorities reported on Friday. According to a medical source, the child, who does not work in the slaughtering industry, had frequently visited an area in a Mosul neighborhood where livestock are kept. After the diagnosis, the child was immediately isolated and placed under treatment. His condition remains stable, and he is being closely monitored by medical staff. Nineveh's Health Directorate, in collaboration with veterinary authorities, has intensified its monitoring efforts in areas with a high concentration of livestock. This heightened vigilance comes as the holiday season approaches, a time when slaughtering activities and human-animal contact typically increase, raising concerns about the spread of infections. At the same time, Nineveh is battling a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which has severely affected the region's livestock industry. The dual threat of haemorrhagic fever and FMD has prompted health and agricultural officials to take swift action to contain both outbreaks and prevent further spread.
Iraqi News
27-03-2025
- Iraqi News
Six tourists killed, nine injured in submarine sinking in Egypt
Follow-up – INA Six foreign tourists were killed and nine others injured on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada in the Red Sea Governorate, southeast of Egypt. Authorities have not yet announced the nationalities of the victims. According to medical and security sources, the accident occurred during a sea trip exploring coral reefs in the Red Sea. The sources confirmed that the bodies of the victims have been recovered, while investigations are ongoing to determine their identities. The sources indicated that the submarine, named "Sindbad," was carrying 45 passengers of various nationalities, and rescue teams were able to retrieve 29 people who were on board. Other sources reported that the submarine sank off the coast of one of the major hotels in Hurghada. The Red Sea Governorate's Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority declared a state of maximum alert, and 21 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The injured were transported to hospitals for treatment, given the seriousness of some of the cases.
Jordan News
13-03-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Closure of 4 Food Establishments in Zarqa - Jordan News
The Unified Market Control Committee in Zarqa carried out 1,349 intensive inspection visits from the beginning of Ramadan until Wednesday evening, resulting in the closure of four food establishments, the suspension of 89 others, the issuance of 31 violations, and the delivery of 343 warnings to various food institutions in order to rectify their situations and ensure compliance with the required health standards. اضافة اعلان During the campaign, 20 kilograms of expired food items that were displayed for sale were destroyed, reflecting the seriousness in dealing with any violations that may threaten consumers' health. Zarqa Governor Dr. Firas Abu Qaoud confirmed that these actions were taken due to violations of public health standards and improper food storage. He emphasized that monitoring campaigns will continue to ensure the health and safety of citizens during the holy month, and no leniency will be shown for any violations that pose a threat to public health and safety. He pointed out the importance of unifying regulatory bodies and enhancing coordination between relevant institutions to ensure market stability and meet citizens' needs. He explained that a unified committee has been formed, consisting of representatives from the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, the Health Directorate, the Industry and Trade Directorate, and public safety committees, to monitor the markets and address any violations related to the quality and safety of food products. He added that these committees conduct morning and evening inspection tours of food warehouses and commercial shops to ensure product validity and conformity with specifications, in addition to monitoring charitable iftar meals and Ramadan tables in cooperation with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration to ensure the provision of safe and healthy meals for fasting individuals. Dr. Abu Qaoud clarified that the unified committee will continue its strict regulatory tasks during the holy month to protect consumers and strengthen effective market supervision, ensuring a stable and safe economic environment for everyone.
