HANDOVER CEREMONY MARKS WATERSHED IN BASRAH

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000422 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL SOCI IZ SUBJECT: HANDOVER CEREMONY MARKS WATERSHED IN BASRAH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PROJECT ¶1. On February 9, Ambassador Crocker and Minister of Health (MOH) Salih Madhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding that laid out the roles and responsibilities for completion and transfer of the Basrah Children's Hospital to the GOI. The transfer will take place in stages over the next several months. Other signatories include the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Project Hope. The handover ceremony garnered positive press coverage as a joint effort in the bilateral Health Working Group of the Strategic Framework Agreement. The Iraq Transition Assistance Office (ITAO),Gulf Region Division (GRD),UNDP and Project Hope have worked closely on the project since 2006 despite interruptions from insurgent activity and challenges with funding and contractors. ¶2. The handover ceremony was held at the express request of the MOH who was eager to assume its responsibility of the hospital. Although the U.S.-funded and managed portion of the construction is 99% complete and will be finished by April, the UNDP contracts will not be completed for several months longer. We are awaiting confirmation on a clear delivery date for Project Hope's largest and most expensive equipment donations. The MOH has signed Letters of Commitment to provide security, staff and maintenance contracts, but has not yet identified funding for all requirements. Training of hospital staff has already begun for some positions and hiring continues. ITAO has hired a medical hospital integrator to continue to assist the GOI to ensure the hospital makes the transition from building to hospital over the next year. GRD has also agreed to continue to provide some guidance and quality assessments following completion of their construction as UNDP contracts continue. The hospital is expected to accommodate staff in the next few months and to begin treating patients on a limited basis before the end of the year, with full operation being phased in. ¶3. When completed and fully operational, the 101-bed tertiary care center will focus on pediatric oncology in addition to providing general services to Basrah's residents. Deputy Prime Minister Rafa'a al Issawi, himself a physician, has promised to do what he can to ensure that the hospital receives the budget necessary to guarantee successful operation and expressed hopes that it would eventually become a regional cancer center. BUTENIS