Resident doctors salaries in Iraq are set to be released after a three month delay, following the completion of administrative procedures between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, Health Minister Abdul Hussein Al-Mousawi announced on Wednesday.
The ministry also confirmed immediate directives to include resident doctors in doctors’ living allowances and revealed that the Ministry of Finance has formally approved funding for contract doctors graduating in 2023 and 2024.
Administrative Procedures Completed for Salary Disbursement
In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Al-Mousawi said the Ministry of Health, in coordination and with direct support from the Prime Minister, finalized all administrative requirements with the Ministry of Finance to release the overdue salaries for resident doctors covering the past three months.
He indicated that the Ministry of Finance is expected to authorize the actual payment early next week once final auditing procedures are completed.
The minister emphasized the need to address the rights of medical staff in accordance with the law and to remove administrative obstacles that may delay entitlements for healthcare workers.
Inclusion in Living Allowances
Al-Mousawi stated that all health directorates in Baghdad and other provinces were instructed to immediately include resident doctors in the official doctors’ living allowances scheme.
Key measures announced include:
– Completion of procedures to release three months of delayed salaries
– Immediate inclusion of resident doctors in living allowances
– Coordination with the Ministry of Finance to expedite payment
The move comes amid broader demands from medical staff regarding financial entitlements and working conditions.
Flexible Transfer Plan Under Study
The minister also announced that the ministry’s Planning Department has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive study to introduce a more flexible transfer mechanism for doctors.
The proposed framework would allow transfers:
Between provinces
Between health directorates
Within the same directorate
According to the ministry, the objective is to better serve doctors’ professional interests while improving workforce distribution across the health sector.
Call to End Strike and Government Commitments
Al-Mousawi called on resident doctors to end their strike and resume their duties, urging them to prevent outside interference in what he described as a professional matter within the medical community.
He pledged to join doctors in emergency wards immediately after the suspension of the strike and to conduct field visits to three hospitals to open direct dialogue channels.
The minister added that the Council of Ministers has made firm commitments regarding the permanent employment of medical staff and the payment of their dues. He also noted ongoing efforts to find gradual solutions for more complex cases involving remaining graduates from the 2023 and 2025 cohorts.
Finance Ministry Funds Contract Doctors 2023–2024
In a related development, the Ministry of Health announced that the Ministry of Finance has sent an official letter approving funding for the salaries of contract doctors graduating in 2023 and 2024.
According to the statement, the funding decision came in response to submissions made by Health Minister Al-Mousawi, paving the way for the disbursement of salaries to this group in accordance with financial procedures.
Conclusion:
The completion of procedures to release resident doctors salaries and the funding approval for contract doctors mark significant steps toward addressing outstanding financial issues within Iraq’s health sector. With salary payments expected next week and allowances extended to resident doctors, authorities aim to stabilize the situation and resolve ongoing labor concerns.
