Asia and The Middle East : Iraq

Basrah Children’s Hospital (BCH) – a modern, state-of-the-art, 94-bed pediatric referral hospital is currently under construction through a partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Project HOPE has the responsibility for medically equipping the hospital and training the hospital staff; the USACE has responsibility for constructing the hospital.

The BCH represents the first new hospital constructed in Iraq since the 1980s and will provide Basrah and the southern governorates with high-impact children’s health services with an oncology focus. This project visibly demonstrates our tenacity and commitment for the children of Iraq during a non-permissive security environment, when most NGOs have departed the country.

Time Line

2003	-	At the request of First Lady Laura Bush, Project HOPE President and CEO Dr. John Howe visits healthcare facilities in Iraq to assess needs/requirements.
2004	-	Project HOPE and Mrs. Bush announce the Basrah Children’s Hospital project; US Agency for International Development and the Iraqi Ministry of Health sign Memorandums of Agreement supporting the project.
2005	-	BCH Chief Nursing Officer training program begins in the USA; physician refresher courses begin in West Asia and the USA; hospital construction begins.
2006	-	Basic Nurse Training begins in Jordan and Oman – four classes (92 students) completed; physician refresher courses continue.
2007	-	Mid and long-term nursing speciality training, pediatric radiation team training, physician refresher courses and other ancillary staff training begin.