Virtual Library

1
Virtual Library Initiating of E learning core
in Iraq
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• Until two decades ago the main indicators of the
  health status of Iraqi people were improving
  substantially and health care services were
  achieving high standards.
• However due to Iraqi circumstances the health
  was not a priority the health system, therefore,
  suffered from continued neglect particularly over
  the last two decades and budgetary allocation did
  not reflect population needs, As a results the
  health sector witnessed progressive deterioration
  and health indicators fell to levels comparable
  to some of the least developing countries, highly
  competent and experienced professionals left the
  country and serious gap developed in the
  provision of health services.
• The decline was exacerbated by major wars,
  disastrous military adventures, and political and
  economic sanctions.

3
- From 2002-2003, an assessment and evaluation of
the Iraqi national medical library network was
conducted, through a national workshop on health
science libraries, the methodology and resources
needed to develop the network were developed
then, WHO has been assisting the Ministry of
Health and the Medical Colleges of Baghdad,
Nahrin and Mustansiria, to provide access health
literatures to end users.- However the network
project was not initiated due to the events of
the last war. This war makes libraries
deteriorated and in the least priorities for the
health institutes, since infrastructure and the
first line healthcare services were the
priorities.
4
Practical steps on the road

• Renovation of libraries buildings, recollection
  and rearrangement of books, literatures, . Was
  taken place within short period of time.
• Subscriptions (by WHO) to 220 titles of medical
  journals was renewed.
• Two training courses were conducted in
  collaboration with WHO, to strengthen librarians
  skills.
• Two workshop on HINARI were conducted in Amman
  for the Iraqi librarians from both MOH and MOHE,
  20 participants for each.
• An access to HINARI site was made by 17 MOH and
  MOEH institutes .
• Proposal of training courses about HINARI done
  to cover all librarian and medical staff in
  collaboration with WHO to build a core of a TOT
  in Iraqi governorates .
• Ten days ago internet access was provided to
  HRTDC and its library in collaboration with WHO.
• A comprehensive plan to initiate e-learning
  activities was developed.

5

• Iraqi participants in this conference on behalf
  of MOH, would like to avail this opportunity to
  ask for help and support from the countries of
  EMR to initiate the core of e-learning and
  tele-medicines in Iraq .
• With best regards