An Najaf officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 19 to open the Sooq-sha’lan primary healthcare center that is expected to serve 200 patients daily. USACE Photo.

An Najaf Deputy Governor Hassan Abtan pointed out that, prior to the PHC’s opening, residents traveled for an hour to get medical care. “Now it’s just 5 to 10 minutes away,” he added.

He praised the quality of the construction, said the Iraqi crew who built it should be proud, and also complimented the partnering effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and provincial officials to ensure the project’s successful completion.

Those attending included Abtan, Dr. Radhwan, director general for An Najaf’s Health Directorate, Dr. Enaas, the PHC’s administrator, and Mayor Farooq. An Najaf is a province located south of Baghdad.

The new facility is expected to serve 200 patients a day and, at 2,200 square meters, is the largest PHC being built in Iraq. It offers basic health care, dental exam, x-ray room, laboratory for blood work, pharmacy, treatment rooms, emergency trauma services, inpatient and maternity care (pre-natal and birthing).

“The project is designed to make health care service more accessible to the people of An Najaf,” said Gulf Region South district construction representative Ken Lloyd. “This modern one-story structure is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, furnishings, and consumables. It has a back-up generator, water treatment system, fire-alarm system, a telecommunications room and intercom system. It’s an important step in Najaf’s quest to improve neighborhood healthcare,” he added.