Life-Saving Surgical Operations for Children

Children's health

Since 2019, IID has continued its efforts to support the most vulnerable children across different regions of Iraq through a wide network of Iraqi donors in the United States, Europe, and within Iraq. This humanitarian solidarity has created a meaningful bridge between Iraqis inside and outside the country, helping to fund life-saving medical interventions for children who were deprived of treatment opportunities due to difficult economic conditions.

Since the launch of this initiative, IID has supported and facilitated 172 specialized surgical operations across Iraq, including procedures carried out in the Kurdistan Region. This reflects the comprehensive nature of the response and its reach to various governorates without discrimination. The surgeries have included open-heart operations, tumor removals, eye surgeries to prevent vision loss, and complex fracture and deformity repairs, as well as other highly specialized medical interventions requiring advanced expertise.

IID adopted a rigorous case selection mechanism based on professional medical assessments to determine the level of risk and urgency, ensuring that support reaches the children most in need. All costs related to the surgeries were fully covered, including diagnostic tests, laboratory analyses, hospital stays, medications, post-operative care, and follow-up medical consultations, in coordination with specialized hospitals and medical centers within Iraq.

These surgeries were not merely medical procedures; they represented life-changing turning points for children and their families. Many of the cases faced severe health risks that could have resulted in permanent complications or direct threats to life if treatment had been delayed. This initiative provided children with a renewed chance to live healthier lives, return to school, and regain the ability to participate normally in their daily activities.

The contribution of Iraqi donors both abroad and within the country reflects a strong sense of collective responsibility toward vulnerable groups. This initiative has strengthened a culture of solidarity and demonstrated that community cooperation can create tangible impact in people’s lives. It has also reinforced trust between communities and humanitarian institutions, proving that solidarity transcends geographical boundaries to become a unifying humanitarian act.

IID believes that health equity is a fundamental right for every child and that access to specialized medical care should not be a privilege, but a guaranteed right for all. Through this ongoing initiative, the organization continues to expand its support, reach more critical cases, and contribute to building a more just and compassionate society—where every child has a genuine opportunity to live and grow with dignity.