Towards More Modern Health Legislation: A Workshop to Review the Law Governing the Professional Progression of Medical and Health Professions
- 26-05-2025
In support of legislative reform efforts and the development of public policies related to the health sector, Ideas Beyond Borders (IBB), in cooperation with Al-Rasheed Development Center, organized a specialized workshop dedicated to reviewing and updating Law No. (6) of 2000 on the professional progression of medical and health professions. This step aims to align the legislative framework with professional developments and the actual needs of Iraq’s health sector.
The workshop brought together a distinguished group of participants, including several Members of Parliament—led by the Chair of the Parliamentary Health and Environment Committee—alongside the President of the Dentists Syndicate, representatives of the Pharmacists Syndicate and the Health Professions Syndicate, as well as a representative of the Minister of Health. This created an institutional dialogue space that united policymakers, executive authorities, and relevant professional bodies.
Discussions focused on the key legal and professional challenges facing graduates of medical and health professions, particularly regarding mechanisms of professional progression and training, requirements for professional practice, and the extent to which current legal texts align with the realities and evolution of the health system. Participants also examined existing gaps in the current law and their impact on the quality of healthcare services and the stability of the workforce in this vital sector.
The workshop presented a set of practical and implementable proposals, grounded in professional expertise and comparative experiences, aimed at developing a more flexible and equitable legislative vision—one that balances professional development requirements with ensuring the quality of healthcare services provided to citizens.
The workshop concluded with consensus on a number of key recommendations, which will be submitted to the relevant authorities for inclusion in the anticipated amendment draft. These recommendations are intended to modernize the legislative framework, improve the professional environment for health sector workers, and support broader efforts to advance the country’s healthcare system.
This workshop forms part of broader joint efforts led by civil society organizations in partnership with official institutions to promote dialogue- and knowledge-based policymaking, and to reinforce the role of legislation as a fundamental tool for institutional reform and sustainable development in Iraq.
