Since 2018, MSF has been working with the National TB Program and the Iraqi Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to improve diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB in hotspots in prisons where there is high incidence of TB and in one of the areas of Baghdad called Sadr city for screening children for TB and diagnosing missing cases. Together we also helped to update TB guidelines and bring in better tools for testing.

Treating tuberculosis (TB) in Iraq faces some financial constraints at several levels. Iraq has big challenges in funding Tuberculosis (TB) programs. The national TB program does not have a clear budget line, even though the government gives 5–7% of its yearly health budget to health. About 35% of the yearly budget goes to primary health centres. Buying medicines and replenishing stocks and clinics is complicated and slow, so many medicine supplies are not used.

Iraq depends on the Global Fund for medicines, tests, and community activities. As the Global Fund is reducing its financial support by only giving “lifesaving” support, the country’s capacity for medicine and testing kits is at risk.

Limited awareness and high-level stigma around TB diseases in the community also hinders smooth implementation of prevention, early detections and treatments. MSF will continue to work on TB awareness and stigma reduction in, collaboration with, NTP, MOJ and other partners that support the National TB program.

MSF works to fill these gaps. We provide technical capacity building trainings for NTP including some primary health centres, paediatric hospital in Sadr city for effective diagnosis of children and at two detention centres for implementation of all oral regimen, preventive treatment and health education as a part of TB care. This helps patients get continuous and effective care.