Today, 18 June 2026, Aran Organization for the Development of Civic Culture, with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), officially launched its sixth annual investigative report on the health sector in the Kurdistan Region.

The report was presented to media outlets, public audiences, and relevant stakeholders, providing detailed findings across eight key themes related to the state of healthcare in the Kurdistan Region.

Among the report’s most significant findings:

Medicine Shortages and Access to Treatment

96% of citizens who visit doctors, whether in public or private facilities, purchase their medicines from private pharmacies, while only 4% obtain medicines through the public health system.

60% of cancer patients are unable to access their medicines through public institutions and are forced to purchase them privately, placing a heavy financial burden on patients and their families.

The report found that cancer treatment has increasingly become part of a highly profitable healthcare market, generating substantial revenues for companies while patients bear the costs.

Rapid Expansion of the Private Health Sector

The Kurdistan Region now has 79 private hospitals, which collectively perform more surgeries annually than the public sector.

Approximately 102,000 surgeries are carried out each year in private healthcare facilities, creating significant financial pressure on citizens and raising concerns regarding equitable access to healthcare.

Challenges Facing Nurses

Nearly 10,000 nurses work in the private sector, where many face serious labor rights violations.

Survey findings revealed issues including unpaid trial periods, excessive working hours without overtime compensation, lack of contracts, low wages, denial of maternity leave, workplace violence, and limited access to social security protections.

Mental Health Services

People living with mental health conditions remain among the most vulnerable groups in society.

The region has 45 private mental health centers serving approximately 330,000 visits annually.

Many patients face high treatment and medication costs, while services often rely heavily on medication rather than psychological counseling and support.

Commercialization of Medical Education

The report highlights concerns regarding the rapid expansion of dentistry colleges, particularly private institutions, and its impact on educational quality, labor market needs, and equal opportunities for students.

The growing number of graduates has exceeded market demand, leaving many young professionals unemployed or unable to pursue careers in their chosen field.

Following the presentation of the report, a comprehensive scientific discussion was held with the participation of parliamentarians, health officials, medical experts, healthcare professionals, and representatives of international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

Aran Organization remains committed to promoting evidence-based dialogue and policy reforms that strengthen the healthcare system and ensure equitable access to quality health services for all citizens