Kurdistan health insurance expansion moved closer to reality on Sunday after senior health officials from Baghdad and Erbil reached a preliminary agreement. Furthermore, both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation and improve healthcare services across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Iraqi Health Minister Abdulhussein al-Mousawi met with Kurdistan Region Health Minister Dr. Saman Barzanji to discuss shared healthcare priorities. During a joint press conference, both ministers highlighted the importance of closer coordination between their ministries.
Moreover, the meeting focused on practical solutions for improving healthcare delivery. Officials also reviewed challenges facing both health systems and explored new opportunities for cooperation.
One of the meeting’s main topics involved pharmaceuticals. However, health insurance received the greatest attention because officials want to expand coverage across the country.
Al-Mousawi announced that both ministers reached a preliminary agreement to include two governorates in the Kurdistan Region within Iraq’s national health insurance system. Although the agreement remains preliminary, officials described it as an important milestone.
In addition, Al-Mousawi explained that Iraq’s Health Insurance Law fully supports the proposed expansion. He noted that the law provides a clear legal framework for including governorates from the Kurdistan Region.
He also emphasized that no legal barriers prevent the governorates from joining the national insurance program. Therefore, officials can continue discussions without facing constitutional or legislative obstacles.
Furthermore, the Iraqi health minister reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to working with the Kurdistan Region. He stressed that cooperation remains essential for improving medical services and strengthening public healthcare.
“We are fully prepared and open to every initiative that contributes to improving healthcare services,” Al-Mousawi said during the press conference.
Meanwhile, Dr. Saman Barzanji welcomed continued coordination between Erbil and Baghdad. Both ministries agreed that stronger partnerships can improve healthcare access for citizens throughout Iraq.
The proposed Kurdistan health insurance expansion could provide broader access to medical services for residents in the participating governorates. As a result, many families could benefit from expanded insurance coverage once authorities finalize the agreement.
Additionally, closer cooperation could improve the supply of medicines and strengthen healthcare planning between federal and regional institutions. Officials believe these efforts will help create a more unified healthcare system.
The discussions also reflected growing cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil in several sectors. Health officials continue seeking practical solutions that directly improve public services.
Although officials have not announced a timeline for implementation, they expressed optimism about the next phase of negotiations. They also pledged to continue technical discussions in the coming weeks.
The Kurdistan health insurance expansion proposal now represents another step toward deeper cooperation between Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan Region. If both sides finalize the agreement, thousands of residents could eventually gain access to Iraq’s national health insurance system.
