Mosul: The specialized Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Hospital was officially opened on the right bank of Mosul, following the completion of its rehabilitation and modernization. This step will enhance cancer treatment services and provide specialized care for more than 800,000 people in Nineveh and northern Iraq.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the hospital is considered one of the most prominent recovery and reconstruction projects in the city's health sector, having suffered extensive damage during the war. It underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation process managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW).

The rehabilitation work included upgrading the facility's infrastructure and completing specialized isolation rooms equipped to provide advanced treatments. The Iraqi government and the Ministry of Health contributed to ensuring the hospital's operational readiness by purchasing and installing advanced medical equipment, including three linear accelerators and a CT scanner, as well as providing the necessary medical furniture and infrastructure for the secure rooms.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Khamis Al-Saad, stated that the hospital represents a significant milestone in enhancing specialized oncology services in Nineveh Governorate. He added that it will provide essential cancer treatment services closer to patients and their families, contributing to strengthening the Iraqi healthcare system's capacity to respond to the growing demand for specialized treatment.

Al-Saad expressed his gratitude to the German government, through the German Development Bank (KfW), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for their support and partnership, which contributed to the project's completion.

For his part, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mehdi Khalili affirmed that the hospital's opening is a testament to the resilience of the people of Mosul and the strength of international and national partnerships. He noted that the transition from the stabilization and reconstruction phase to sustainable health development reflects a commitment to building a healthcare system capable of meeting the population's long-term needs.

KfW Country Director Mark Hensel emphasized Germany's commitment to supporting Iraq's recovery and the restoration of its essential services, stressing that providing modern and reliable healthcare is a cornerstone for building a stable and prosperous society.

The hospital began full operation in late May 2016 and is currently receiving patients and providing chemotherapy services, in addition to utilizing a modern electronic system for managing medical records.

As part of its future service development plans, relevant authorities are studying the possibility of adding advanced capabilities to the hospital, including a feasibility study for establishing a cyclotron facility. This would enable the local production of certain essential radioactive isotopes for use in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

If implemented, this step would enhance the hospital's position as a leading center for diagnosis, treatment, and clinical research in the field of oncology, and reduce the need for patients in Nineveh and northern Iraq to travel to other governorates to receive specialized medical services.