Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Minister of Health, Saleh Al-Hasnawi, announced today, Saturday (October 4, 2025), that the National Health Insurance Law will be implemented in seven provinces during 2026. Al-Hasnawi confirmed that the full rollout of the legislation is a massive undertaking expected to take between five and seven years to complete nationwide.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Minister emphasized that this marks the first time in Iraq’s history that the health insurance law is being fully applied. He noted that the initiative has already seen success, with over two million citizens insured in Baghdad alone. This effort is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to reducing financial burdens on its citizens.
Al-Hasnawi highlighted a key shift in strategy: the government is actively contracting with private hospitals to purchase services for the insured population. This approach, he noted, signals the government’s strong interest in developing the private health sector and leveraging its capacity to provide comprehensive healthcare services. With the law scheduled to begin implementation in seven new provinces next year, Iraq is embarking on a major transformation of its healthcare financing and delivery system.
