Health Program

Since 1998

School Health Program Overview


Following the International Embargo on Iraq in 1991, Kurdistan was left without critical economic and financial resources, resulting in harsh conditions, especially for children. In response, international organizations stepped in to provide much-needed aid. In 1998, ASK launched the School Health Program in Sulaymaniyah, aimed at addressing the health needs of elementary school students.


The program focused on offering essential medical services, including dental, optical, and general health care, to improve the well-being of young students who lacked access to basic healthcare. This initiative played a vital role in enhancing children’s health and raising health awareness in the region.

 Regarding documents 

ASK-School Health Program 1999.pdf

Health and Nutrition Report

On December 4, 1999, Dr. Salah Aziz reported to Ms. Jan Rogers about the closure of four medical clinics on November 30, impacting 798 students. ASK responded by launching three health initiatives for elementary students in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk:

The World Health Organization (WHO) funded half the medicine costs, while ASK supported the mobile teams.

ASK Health Program.pdf

Computerizing Health Data in Iraqi Kurdistan

Director: Dr. Salah Aziz

Budget: $130,233

Requested Fund: $43,411

Board Approval Date: March 16, 1999

Duration: 12 months (starting June 1999)

The project aims to modernize health data management in Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Dohuk, addressing inefficiencies in the traditional record-keeping system. Each major hospital will receive a computer and printer, and two staff members will be trained in data entry following WHO and UNICEF guidelines. The first phase focuses on Sulaymaniyah, with further phases planned for additional provinces after evaluation. Local authorities, including the Ministry of Health, are involved in the project.

Child and material health Jan 99.pdf

Child and Maternal Health and Nutrition in Iraq Under Sanctions

In November 1998, pediatricians reported that eight years of economic sanctions led to a humanitarian crisis in Iraq, with over 50,000 excess deaths among children under five in 1997. The sanctions caused widespread malnutrition, disease, and deteriorating living conditions. Despite the “oil-for-food” program initiated in 1996, Iraq’s infrastructure was severely damaged, resulting in contaminated water and a weakened healthcare system. The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) sought to raise awareness of these dire consequences, emphasizing the humanitarian impact separate from political debates.

Health conditon in ira March 96.pdf

Impact of UN Sanctions on Iraqi Health Status

This report analyzes epidemiological data collected by Iraq’s public health sector, supplemented by assessments from the WHO and other organizations. A WHO consultant visited Iraq in early 1995 to evaluate the health impact of UN sanctions since 1991, focusing on morbidity and mortality from 1989 to 1994. The Gulf War in 1991 destroyed critical public infrastructure, disrupting healthcare services, particularly immunizations, and leading to increased vaccine-preventable diseases. Ongoing sanctions hindered efforts to repair facilities and limited access to food and medicine, severely impacting the Iraqi population’s quality of life and healthcare.