Baghdad: Today’s Sunday newspapers focused on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s statements reaffirming the government’s commitment to developing Iraq’s health sector and continuing efforts to pursue individuals involved in corruption in coordination with Interpol.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper highlighted Al-Sudani’s emphasis on the government’s determination to enhance healthcare services through the rehabilitation of hospitals and specialized medical centers, as well as the completion of stalled projects. He noted that 413 projects are currently under implementation within the health sector’s infrastructure, including 385 new projects nearing completion.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office revealed that Al-Sudani inaugurated the first phase of Al-Alawiya Children’s Hospital rehabilitation project in Baghdad. This included the renovation of outpatient clinics, private wards, four emergency and inpatient wards, as well as laboratories, radiology depar
tments, and other associated facilities.

During his tour of the rehabilitated sections, the Prime Minister met with medical, administrative, and technical staff, listening to briefings on the completed works and stressing the importance of completing the second phase on schedule and in accordance with specified standards. The statement pointed out that the hospital, established in the 1960s, had not undergone any comprehensive renovation for many years. The first phase included upgrading wards and clinics, furnishing and equipping them with modern medical devices, maintaining electrical and water systems, improving ventilation and air conditioning, and increasing the number of intensive care beds.

Al-Sudani reaffirmed that improving healthcare services remains a top government priority directly impacting citizens’ lives, stressing that efforts are ongoing to complete all health sector projects to enhance the quality of medical services across the country.

Al-Zawraa, the newspaper issued by the Journalists
Syndicate, reported Al-Sudani’s affirmation that the government remains determined to pursue individuals involved in corruption cases both inside and outside Iraq. He revealed that over 500 billion dinars have been recovered from those implicated in the so-called ‘Deal of the Century.’

In an interview with Al Jazeera, cited by his media office, Al-Sudani stated that he had never left Iraq before 2003, explaining that he was living in Maysan Province when the dictatorial regime collapsed. He described the fall of the regime and its repressive apparatus as ‘a great relief for all Iraqis.’

Speaking about his upbringing, the Prime Minister noted that ‘Maysan played a key role in shaping my character, as its people sacrificed many martyrs while resisting the dictatorship, particularly in the marshlands.’ He added that his late father was a member of the Islamic Dawa Party, and that accompanying him as his eldest son gave him early exposure to the political and social struggles of that era.

Al-Sudani revealed th
at ‘the former regime executed my father despite his illness, while some are now attempting to distort the facts for political reasons.’ He added that his family suffered from severe security restrictions at the time, as authorities prevented relatives from visiting or assisting them. He also mentioned that the regime imposed strict surveillance on the families of martyrs, often forcing them to attend official state events.

Recalling his academic journey, Al-Sudani said: ‘My time at the College of Agriculture allowed me to engage closely with a vital segment of society (farmers) and to better understand their challenges and needs.’

On the topic of energy and development, the Prime Minister announced that Iraq’s electricity production this summer reached 28,000 megawatts, marking a significant step toward reforming the power sector and securing the necessary fuel supplies. He emphasized that ‘for the first time, Iraq is witnessing an unprecedented wave of development. In just two and a half years, we have ac
hieved tangible improvements in public services felt by citizens.’

Concluding his remarks, Al-Sudani reaffirmed that the government continues to reform oversight bodies, investigate major corruption cases, and recover stolen funds in coordination with Interpol, stressing his commitment to bringing all corrupt individuals to justice, regardless of their location.

Newspapers continued to highlight Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani’s recent statements, particularly his stance on regional developments and his call for a comprehensive Islamic political, security, and economic alliance to confront the challenges facing the region.

Al-Sudani reaffirmed that Iraq condemns and rejects the recent aggression against Qatar, emphasizing that ‘the time has come to announce a unified Islamic alliance that includes the establishment of a joint security force capable of addressing regional threats.’ He urged Arab and Islamic countries to act through the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court, and to
coordinate their efforts to confront the Israeli occupation and its ongoing violations.

The Prime Minister explained that Iraq is working within its pioneering regional role and through collective Arab and Islamic efforts to help reshape the region’s balance of power away from polarizing blocs and axes. He stressed that the decision of peace and war rests solely with the state, affirming that his government ‘will not allow any entity to take actions that harm Iraq’s interests or provide justification for aggression against it.’

On domestic political matters, Al-Sudani noted that the government has conducted a comprehensive national dialogue among all political forces, aimed at safeguarding Iraq’s security and sovereignty and preventing it from being drawn into external conflicts. He added that Iraq continues to adopt political, media, and humanitarian positions in support of the Palestinian people, and has actively contributed to exposing the crimes of the occupying entity in international forums.

Al-Sudan
i further emphasized that Iraq advocates dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional issues, particularly with regard to negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file, and revealed that Baghdad is working to bridge views between Tehran and Washington, supporting dialogue based on international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Regarding Iraq’s relations with neighboring Iran, Al-Sudani stated that ties are ‘built on mutual interests, respect, and Iraq’s national priorities.’ He reaffirmed that the government’s program includes monopolizing arms under state control, noting that ‘the end of the international coalition’s mission does not justify the continued possession of weapons outside the authority of the state.’

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister affirmed that his government has already begun practical steps to strengthen state authority and consolidate security and stability, asserting that ‘the terrorist organization ISIS no longer poses a real threat.’ He added that Iraq has exch
anged messages and delegations with Syria to affirm its support for the country’s unity, social diversity, and rejection of extremism and terrorism.