At a Glance

• Middle East's largest cancer center planned for Slemani.

• Project launched under Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

• French delegation finalized details and inspected the site.

• Construction site located in Hawari Shar Park.

• Dedicated support board formed to expedite the project.

A French delegation has arrived in Slemani to finalize preparations for the construction of a new cancer treatment center, which is set to become the largest in the Middle East.

Key statements and Focus Area

• The Media Office of Qubad Talabani stated that the hospital is “set to be built to the highest international standards as the largest cancer treatment center in the Middle East.”

• The French delegation “praised the healthcare services currently provided at Hiwa Hospital and pledged to exert their utmost efforts to commence the Grand Hiwa Hospital project at the earliest opportunity.”

The new project is under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

The French delegation began its visit by meeting with officials from the Slemani Governorate, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Civil Development Organization (CDO), and the local cancer hospital to collaboratively develop a comprehensive project plan.

Following the meetings, the delegation inspected the designated construction site located in Hawari Shar Park.

The Director of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office reviewed operational details and pledged full administrative support to ensure the foundation stone is laid without delay.

According to Talabani's office, a dedicated support board has been established to launch and execute the project, comprising representatives from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, the Slemani Governorate, Hiwa Hospital, the CDO organization, and Dwarozh Company.

FYI

Slemani’s existing premier cancer facility, Hiwa Hospital, currently operates at maximum capacity as it handles more than 3,000 new cancer diagnoses annually while providing free, critical care to patients. 

This immense pressure on local medical infrastructure is largely driven by the fact that over 70 percent of cancer patients seeking treatment in Slemani travel from other provinces across the wider Kurdistan Region and greater Iraq. 

To address this urgent demand for a larger, world-class specialized hub, the new development aligns directly with France’s accelerating healthcare partnerships in Iraq, which are actively coordinated through the French Healthcare Association and the French Embassy. 

This joint venture builds on a solid foundation of international cooperation, following France’s previous financing and support of major medical infrastructure initiatives in neighboring regions such as Nineveh and Shingal.

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