For Immediate Release
February 23, 2004

Iraq's Health Care System
Iraq Fact of the Day

After years of neglect under Saddam Hussein, Iraq is modernizing health services. The Ministry of Health's 2004 budget is nearly $1 billion, which is nearly 6,000 percent more than what Saddam spent on health care. All 240 hospitals and more than 1,200 primary health clinics are treating patients. Teams of biomedical experts are visiting hospitals to help repair and upgrade medical equipment. As a result of these investments, more and more Iraqis are gaining access to improved health care services.

Source: Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad.