🇮🇶 Iraq Healthcare Guide
Healthcare in the Kurdistan Region — Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in particular — is significantly more developed and stable than in the rest of Iraq, with private hospitals like Rizgary and PAR offering reasonable care for visitors. Outside Kurdistan, facilities in Baghdad and the south remain under-resourced and overcrowded. The system operates entirely in Arabic and Kurdish, so carrying your medical summary saved in Arabic and accessible offline alongside your full medication supply lets clinical staff begin treatment without needing to take a verbal history through a language barrier.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 122
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $20 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: high
Healthcare overview
Healthcare in Iraq varies dramatically between the Kurdistan Region and the rest of the country. Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan have private hospitals (PAR Hospital, Faruk Medical City) with reasonably modern facilities. Baghdad’s private clinics are improving but the security situation complicates access. Southern and western Iraq have limited and often disrupted healthcare. Visitors should verify current conditions in their specific destination.
Kurdistan Region advantage
The Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) has significantly more stable and better-equipped healthcare than central or southern Iraq.
Baghdad private clinics
Baghdad’s private clinics are improving, but access depends on the security situation in your specific neighbourhood. Verify current conditions.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah carry most standard medications at low prices, with some items from Turkish or Jordanian suppliers. Baghdad’s pharmacies are adequate in stable areas. Outside major cities, pharmacy coverage is limited and supply chains can be disrupted. Carry your full medication supply, and bring extra for any travel outside Kurdistan or Baghdad.
Supply chain disruptions
Medication availability outside major cities can be unpredictable due to supply chain disruptions. Carry more than you expect to need.
Tips for travellers
PAR Hospital and Faruk Medical City in Erbil cover most specialist needs for the Kurdistan Region. For complex conditions, Amman (Jordan) and Istanbul are the primary referral destinations, with established medical evacuation routes. Having your treatment plan accessible in Arabic, Kurdish, or English helps providers in any of these locations continue your care.
Amman and Istanbul referrals
Both cities have established medical evacuation pathways from Iraq. Amman is closer; Istanbul offers broader specialist depth.