Hiwa Hospital

Hiwa Hospital (Kurdish: نەخۆشخانەی ھیوا, Arabic: مستشفى هيوا) is a public hospital in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to the treatment of all types of cancer. The name "Hiwa" means "hope" in Kurdish, reflecting the hospital's mission to provide free, accessible, and compassionate cancer care. Established in 2007, the hospital operates under the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Health and serves as a key oncology referral center for the region. The hospital began with only 40 beds but has expanded to 180 beds, reflecting growing demand for cancer care. It receives approximately 625 patients daily for screening and treatment, and administers chemotherapy to about 200 patients per day. Patients come from across the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq, with about 50% of patients originating from Middle Eastern and Iraqi regions outside the immediate area. The hospital offers a range of specialized services, including advanced diagnostic imaging, a genetics laboratory for cancer detection (the only one of its kind in Iraq), a bone marrow transplant unit that has performed over 200 successful transplants free of charge, a blood donation center, and a stem cell collection unit. To date, the hospital has conducted screenings for over 75,000 patients and provided treatment to more than 30,000 patients. Hiwa Hospital is known for its comprehensive, free services, which include consultations, diagnostics, chemotherapy, and supportive care. It collaborates with other centers such as the Thalassemia Center, the Zhianawa Cancer Center, and the Shorsh Hospital laboratory. The hospital also runs awareness campaigns, including annual World Cancer Day activities, and hosts events like the "100 Cancer Survivors" conference in 2018 in partnership with the WHO. Despite its achievements, the hospital faces challenges including inadequate infrastructure, a crowded location, and financial difficulties, particularly affecting its volunteer staff and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a government-run institution, Hiwa Hospital is a symbol of hope for cancer patients in Iraq, providing essential services regardless of patients' financial situations. Its mission emphasizes equal access to modern treatment and compassionate care for all.

Hiwa Hospital was established in 2007 in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as a specialized center for the treatment of all types of cancer. The hospital is a public institution, operating under the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Its Kurdish name, "Hiwa," means "hope," reflecting its founding mission to provide free, compassionate cancer care to all patients in need. Initially, the hospital had only 40 beds, but as the incidence of cancer in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region rose, demand for its services grew. Over the years, the hospital expanded its capacity to 180 beds and developed a wide range of specialized services. It now receives approximately 625 patients daily for screening and treatment, and administers chemotherapy to about 200 patients per day. Patients come from across the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq, with about 50% coming from Middle Eastern and Iraqi regions outside the immediate area. The hospital's reputation for free, high-quality care has made it a leading cancer treatment center in Iraq. Hiwa Hospital has achieved several milestones in its medical services. It established a bone marrow transplant unit that has performed over 200 successful transplants free of charge, each patient having a private room. It also opened a genetics laboratory for cancer detection, the only one of its kind in Iraq. The hospital has conducted screenings for over 75,000 patients and provided treatment to more than 30,000 patients. It collaborates with other centers such as the Thalassemia Center, the Zhianawa Cancer Center, and the Shorsh Hospital laboratory to coordinate patient care. In 2012, the Kurdistan Parliament established the Cancer Assistance Fund, to which all cancer hospitals in the Kurdistan Region belong. This fund has helped treat hundreds of cancer patients who could not afford treatment. Hiwa Hospital actively participates in awareness campaigns, including annual World Cancer Day activities in coordination with other centers and the health directorate. In November 2018, the hospital held a major conference titled "100 Cancer Survivors" in partnership with the Cancer Assistance Fund, with participation from 100 survivors, Ministry of Health officials, and a WHO representative. The conference aimed to inspire patients, discuss future directions for the fund, and encourage public participation. Despite its successes, Hiwa Hospital faces significant challenges. The hospital building is small and inadequate for the large number of patients, and its location in the crowded Kani Ba neighborhood of southeastern Sulaymaniyah is unsuitable for a cancer hospital, which ideally should be in a calm, green environment. The hospital is also distant from other centers (Thalassemia, Zhianawa, Shorsh laboratory), creating logistical problems. Financial difficulties have affected volunteer staff: as of July 1, 2020, 145 volunteers had not received any compensation, risking staff departures that would severely impact services, especially in the pediatric oncology wing where 25 volunteers work. The COVID-19 pandemic and the broader financial crisis in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have further strained the hospital's resources and reduced donations. Looking ahead, Hiwa Hospital continues to serve as a symbol of hope for cancer patients in Iraq, striving to provide equal access to modern treatment regardless of financial situation. Its mission remains to offer free, accessible, and compassionate care to every patient in need.

• 2020

  As of July 1, 145 volunteer staff have not received financial compensation, highlighting funding challenges.

• 2018

  Hiwa Hospital holds the '100 Cancer Survivors' conference in November, with WHO participation.

• 2012

  Kurdistan Parliament establishes the Cancer Assistance Fund, with all cancer hospitals in the region as members.

• 2007

  Hiwa Hospital established in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, as a public cancer treatment center.

Public, free-of-charge comprehensive cancer center; symbol of hope for patients regardless of financial means.

• Cancer screening

  Free screening services for early detection of cancer.

• Chemotherapy

  Administered to about 200 patients daily, free of charge.

• Bone marrow transplant

  Over 200 successful transplants performed free of charge, with private rooms for each patient.

• Genetics laboratory

  The only genetics laboratory for cancer detection in Iraq.

• Blood donation center

  Facilitates blood donations for cancer patients using specialized equipment.

• Stem cell collection

  Collects and counts stem cells for treatment purposes.

• Pediatric oncology

  Specialized care for children with cancer, supported by volunteers.

1. 1Hiwa Hospital (Hope) Official Websitehope-hospital.org
2. 2Hiwa Hospital - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3نەخۆشخانەی ھیوا - Wikipedia (Kurdish)ckb.wikipedia.org