The Medical Journal of Basrah University

Abstract

This article describes chronologically the development of COVID-epidemic in Iraq, mainly Basra Province, and the response of the national and provincial health system response to control this crisis. It points some strengths and weaknesses of this response. In addition, it mentions some of the opportunities that need to get benefit from, including following an evidence-based approach in epidemic control management. Some of the international assessments' results showed that the performance of Iraqi health system come at the tail of the sorted list of international health systems. This necessitates conducting a scientific systematic evaluation to the national performance to precisely quantify structural and process strengths and weaknesses.