(May 18, 2017) The Hiwa Cancer Hospital in Sulemania, Iraqi Kurdistan, is a public, free, oncology and infantile medical center that since last year has been able to treat the most severe cases of leukemia and thalassemia, thanks to the technique of bone marrow transplantation. A result obtained with the voluntary collaboration of Italian doctors and nurses and the contribution of Italian Cooperation through the AVSI NGO. The facility was visited in recent days by Gianandrea Sandri, AICS Beirut Director and Emergency Response Officer in Iraqi Kurdistan, and Italian Consul Serena Muroni: the visit was the occasion to celebrate the first transplant carried out entirely by the Iraqi team with the sole oversight of Italian staff, but it was also time to look over the work done and plan future developments. During the brief ceremony, Sandri has highlighted the importance of this initiative, which demonstrates how development is possible even when crisis situations seem to impose with the emergency they bring with them. “This is a success of the Hiwa Hospital that now, however, needs the commitment of all actors involved to ensure its sustainability over time”, said AICS Beirut Director. The Consul Muroni emphasized the pride of the institutions and of the Italian people to be a significant part of this project, which witnesses the deep bond between the two peoples. In addition to the hospital, the AICS delegation visited other projects, funded by Italian cooperation, from Italian NGOs for the protection of minors in the camps. In particular, the project “One Bridge For” was visited in the Syrian refugee camp of Arbat and that of “Terre des Hommes Italia” for the displaced Iraqis of Debaga. In addition, at the consular seat of Erbil, the AICS Beirut Director, together with the Consul Muroni, also met Italian NGOs working in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region for a review of the progress of their current programs and a fruitful comparison of relations Between AICS and their operational issues. From February 2017, AVSI is partner of the Italian Cooperation for Project Management. The goal of the next 10 months is the care of at least 100 children with oncoematological problems. (Red)
