Adopt-a-Hospital Program: Iraq

Background

Several years of under-funding in the health sector coupled with the recent conflict and subsequent looting have substantially stressed the medical infrastructure in Iraq. Several nations and organizations have recognized this need and have made generous offers of assistance. In order to focus and maximize relief and reconstruction efforts, the Ministry of Health, Coalition Forces, and the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA/CPA) have developed the "Adopt-a-Hospital" program. This program enlists donors to provide directed, substantial, and lasting assistance to specific medical facilities and programs in Iraq. Even though the program is titled "Adopt-a-Hospital", other facilities such as Public Health Laboratories, Primary Health Centers, Nutrition Centers, and other health-related facilities are also excellent candidates for "adoption".

Program Principles

• This is a reconstruction and rehabilitation program that should not be implemented until the security of personnel, equipment, and facilities can be assured.

• The focus is on building the capacity of the Iraqi health system rather than developing parallel and competing structures.

• The sovereignty of Iraq must be respected. Iraqi health professionals will be involved in needs assessments and program administration.

• Assistance must address documented needs, both immediate and long-term.

• All assistance must meet or exceed Iraqi quality, safety, building, and practice standards.

• Generally, desirable forms of assistance include facility improvements and donations of medical equipment, office equipment, communications and computer systems, vehicles, essential supplies, and state-of-the-art training programs. Pharmaceutical donations must comply with the WHO donation standards available on the UNOCHI HIC website.

• Equipment should be of a type that can be operated and maintained by local users.

• Sufficient funds should be provided with equipment donations to cover shipping and installation costs and maintenance contracts and training should be provided.

• Iraqi medical professionals should provide actual patient care unless a compelling need dictates otherwise.

• More than one donor may assist a particular facility if there is sufficient need and if duplication can be avoided.

Procedure

Identification of Candidate Facilities and Requirements

An International Medical Aid Committee (IMAC), co-chaired by the Iraqi Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, ICRC, NGO Representatives, and ORHA/CPA will work with Iraqi health officials, hospital administrators, and humanitarian organizations to identify immediate and longer-term requirements. Requirements for specific health facilities will be available from the Iraqi Assistance Center (IAC) at the Baghdad Convention Center. There are also plans to publish this information on a website, possibly the HIC website.

Proposal and Approval Process

Donors will be asked to review the published requirements and make specific offers of assistance. Alternatively, if donors are familiar with the needs of a particular facility they may make proposals based on their own information. Donors are encouraged to send assessment teams to assist with the planning and coordination process. These teams should also be coordinated through the IMAC before traveling to Iraq. The IMAC will review proposals and provide final approval.

The purpose of the IMAC approval process is to prevent duplication of effort and to help insure transparency, quality, and a fair distribution of aid. Every effort will be made to make the process rapid and non-bureaucratic. Donors are encouraged to propose additional activities if they recognize new requirements while working with a facility. These new activities should be reviewed by the IMAC before they are initiated.

Summary of Proposal Steps: