The Iraq and Regional Health Summit took place on the 21st and 22nd of May 2010 at the Polat Renaissance Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. The Summit brought representatives from the Iraqi, Jordanian, Lebanese and Turkish Ministries of Health together with International and Non-Governmental Organisations and members of the global business community.

The Summit proceedings opened with welcoming addresses the CEO of Global Investment Summits and Mr. Izzettin Kucuk, Governor of Istanbul’s Üsküdar municipality. The Iraqi Minister of Health, His Excellency Salih Al-Hasnawi proceeded to deliver the keynote address. Dr. Sami Al-Dulaimi, Chief of Administration in the Jordanian Ministry of Health, concluded the opening ceremony.

The opening panel, entitled ‘Primary and Public Healthcare’ commenced with a presentation on the title topic by Dr. Imad El Hage, Deputy Minister in the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Dr Verda Tunaligi followed, addressing the audience on the topic of Health Policy Transformation – Reforming the Health Sector for Improved Access and Efficiency,’ on behalf of Professor Ali İhsan Dokucu, Director of the Istanbul Health Directorate. The panel concluded with a talk from Dr. Hasan Muslim, Director of Communicable Diseases in the Iraq Ministry of Health.

The second panel of the day concentrated on ‘Medical Supplies and Pharmaceuticals’ and began with a presentation by Dr. Sattar Jabar, Director General of KIMADIA, Iraq Mınistry of Health. H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al-Hadid, President of the Jordan Red Crescent Society, followed with a presentation on the Society’s ‘Externally Displaced Iraqi People Programme.’ Dr. Hassan El-Bushra of the World Health Organisation’s Iraq Office followed, discussing the WHO’s Essentials Medicines Programme in Iraq.

The final panel of day one, ‘Towards Greater Private Sector Involvement in Healthcare Sectors,’ began with a talk by Alp Göbeklioğlu of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce’s Health Committee. Majdi Al-Khalili, General Manager of Novo Nordisk in Iraq, followed. Mouayed Al-Asaad, Health Advisor at the US Embassy in Baghdad, then spoke on ‘Business Opportunities in the Iraq Health Sector.’ The day concluded with a presentation by Dr. Hazem A. Aljumily, Director General of Clinics with the Iraq Ministry of Health.

A full list of downloadable presentations in PDF format given during Day 1 of the summit can be found below:

The ‘Procurement and Planning Strategy’ panel opened the event’s second day, commencing with a presentation by Dr. Sabah Saeed Ahmed of the Iraq Red Crescent Society. Nadhim A. Kasim, President of the Iraqi Medical Association, followed by a talk entitled ‘Problems of Health Professionals.’ Nilgun Dereli of TURSAB Health Committee and Dr. Khaled Atef, General Manager of Emergining Markets, AstraZeneca, concluded the panel.

The ‘Infrastructure and Major Health Projects’ panel began with a talk by Dr. Essamalddin N. Abdullah, Deputy Mınister for Reconstruction and Donor Affairs, Iraq Mınistry of Health. Dr. Said Fliti, Coordinator for the Médecines Sans Frontières Iraq Mission, followed. Dr. Hassan El Bushra, World Health Organisation, then spoke on behalf of Naeema Al-Gasseer of the WHO’s Eastern Medıterranean Regıonal Offıce, addressing the topic of the ‘WHO and Health System in Iraq: Based on Primary Health Care Approach.’

The final panel explored ‘Training, Operational Capability and Human Resources’ and began with a talk by Dr. Tekin Yilmaz, President of the Turkish Health Union SABIR. Dr. Daifulla Al-Lawzi of the Jordan Ministry of Health proceeded to address the topic of ‘Health, Training and Capacity Building’ in Jordan. Dr. Karim Bensiali, the IFRC’s Director for Middle East and North Africa then spoke on the ‘IFRC’s Contribution to Health and Wellbeing in Vulnerable Communities.’ The panel sessions were brought to a close with a presentation on Training and Capacity Building by Dr. Ohan F. Yonan of the Iraq Ministry of Health’s Training and Development Centre.

Global Investment Summits utilises a unique event model, whereby in addition to the key content provided by its speakers, the summit also provides the opportunity for delegates to meet with key decision makers face-to-face in a structured format. Following the morning addresses, the summit hall was converted in to a series of 29 roundtables, from which the various participating agencies partook in pre-scheduled 20 minute meetings.

These meetings provide a platform on which the objectives of the summit can be met.

A full list of downloadable presentations in PDF format given during Day 2 of the summit can be found below: