Shafaq News– Nineveh Resident and trainee doctors staged a strike across allhospitals in Nineveh province on Friday in protest against delays in appointinggraduates from the 2024 medical cohort, as well as the failure to issueseparation and professional distribution orders. A source at Nineveh’s Health Directorate told Shafaq Newsthat more than 1,000 resident doctors are participating in the strike, whichincludes a halt to work in outpatient clinics and non-emergency wards, whilemedical services remain limited to critical cases to safeguard patients andavoid endangering lives. As part of a protest movement taking place in several Iraqiprovinces, doctors are demanding the swift resolution of delayed appointments,the activation of the Doctors’ Protection Law, and the provision of a safeworking environment, confirming that the strike will continue until thesedemands are met. On January 8, dozens of doctors held a protest in Basracalling for the immediate appointment of 2024 medical graduates, following fourdays of sit-ins at hospitals.The head of the Basra Doctors Syndicate, Wissam Al-Rudaini,told Shafaq News that “the government must adhere to clear timelines forappointing medical graduates, particularly concerning the medical trainingsystem,” which he described as the foundation of doctors’ professional careers.Disruptions in the medical training cycle over the pastperiod have caused significant strain on the healthcare system, Al-Rudaininoted, pointing out that doctors in Basra are often required to work up to 12hours a day, while hospitals urgently need new staff to address shortages andensure service continuity.Iraq’s healthcare system is already under severe strain,with fewer than 1.4 doctors and about 1.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people—wellbelow World Health Organization benchmarks—while bed occupancy in majorhospitals often exceeds 90%, according to government data and health sectorindicators.: Iraq’s healthcare system nears collapse: Doctors leave, hospitals overflow