The health care services of the Iraqi Red Crescent work to support the Iraqi health authorities in the provision of essential health services and alleviate the suffering of those people afflicted by health problems or injured by violence. The Iraqi Red Crescent operates four hospitals specializing in surgery, obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics. Free treatment or treatment at reduced cost is offered to destitute patients. The organization also runs two centers for the rehabilitation of war victims and one factory for artificial limbs.

Iraqi Red Crescent branches train volunteers in community based first aid and psychological support in order to enable them to provide emergency assistance to the Internally Displaced People and vulnerable local communities. Volunteers carry out a wide range of community based health activities that aim at promoting public awareness and preventing diseases, such as school health, HIV and AIDS awareness, participation in immunization campaigns and mother and child health.

The Iraqi Red Crescent coordinates with its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners the 'treatment abroad' of patients suffering from diseases or injuries that are difficult to treat in Iraq. Patients are being referred to Iran, Syria, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and other countries for treatment.

The Iraqi Red Crescent also provides assistance to the people with physical disabilities through distributing wheelchairs.

The Iraqi Red Crescent receives donations of medicines, medical supplies and hospital equipment and shares them with health care providers across the country. In 2006, 27 non-governmental organizations, 44 public and private hospitals and 21 primary health centers received medicines, supplies and equipment from the Iraqi RC.

In order to maintain its essential services to the Iraqi people in these difficult circumstances, the Iraqi Red Crescent needs external assistance to develop its health program, which includes:

• Scaling-up health activities to reach out additional vulnerable communities, including establishing primary health centers and hospitals in areas where most needed.
• Developing the Iraqi Red Crescent hospitals by replacing old equipment, providing medicines and medical supplies and upgrading the skills of health professionals.
• Establishing a nursing school to cover the current shortage in this profession.

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