19 January 2012, Erbil - H.E. Dr. Ali Sindi, KRG Minister of Planning, received Dr. Said Jaafar Hussein, Head of WHO’s Iraq Office, and his accompanying delegation.

Dr. Hussein commended the situation in the Kurdistan Region particularly in the areas of security and stability that provide the grounds for the implementation of various projects. He added that this stability has enabled the WHO to run 72 training courses for the Iraqi medical staff in Erbil. This has also convinced the organization to seriously think of moving their activities from Amman to Erbil. Dr. Hussein also highlighted the development in health services in the Kurdistan Region in comparison with the other parts of Iraq; adding that this is particularly noticeable in the areas of quality of the services, coordinated planning and other factors that have led to the development of this important sector.

Dr. Sindi highlighted the importance of cooperation and coordination between the KRG and organizations such as WHO. He also discussed the KRG contracts with RAND Corporation and the UK National School of Government to further develop health sector.

 The meeting also highlighted the importance of joint projects between KRG and WHO particularly in the provision of technical assistance within the ten year plan that WHO is trying to develop for the health sector in the Region.

Finally, the Minister of Planning asked WHO to assist the KRG in achieving a Regional Health Accounts and expressed the MoP’s willingness to offer any necessary assistance.