As part of the Barzani Charity Foundation’s ongoing humanitarian and healthcare efforts, and in cooperation with Norway’s MAIN organization, a press conference was held on September 7, 2026, at Nanakali Hospital in Erbil to announce the arrival of specialized cancer medication in the Kurdistan Region.
Lenalidomide 15 mg–20 mg is a rare and essential medication used in the treatment of certain types of cancer. In recent months, the medication had not been available at specialized cancer hospitals across the Kurdistan Region.
Through the Kurdistan Region Medical Cooperation Project and the Barzani Charity Foundation, in cooperation with Norway’s MAIN organization, a total of 953 packages of the medication arrived in the Kurdistan Region and were distributed as follows:
Erbil: 388 packages
Duhok: 365 packages
Sulaymaniyah: 200 packages
Each package contains 21 tablets, with an approximate value of IQD 6 million.
During the press conference, Dr. Hardy Jawad Saber, Director of Nanakali Hospital, expressed his appreciation to the Barzani Charity Foundation and highlighted the importance of this initiative in providing essential medication to cancer patients.
Dr. Lazgin Jamil, Director of Norway’s MAIN organization in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, spoke about the ongoing cooperation between the Barzani Charity Foundation and MAIN, emphasizing the importance of continuing this humanitarian and healthcare partnership.
Dr. Abbas Azad, Head of the Health Unit at the Barzani Charity Foundation, praised MAIN’s valuable and rare contribution and emphasized the necessity of providing such specialized medications. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness and taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing such diseases. He noted that the Barzani Charity Foundation and Soran University have launched a joint and comprehensive awareness campaign in this field.
The press conference was attended by Farzin Begzada, Supervisor of the Media, Communications and Legal Department of the Barzani Charity Foundation; Staff Aso, Director of the Foundation’s Erbil Office; and Dr. Abbas Azad, Head of the Foundation’s Health Unit.
The provision of this rare medication is part of the Barzani Charity Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support the healthcare sector and assist patients with chronic illnesses, particularly those who require specialized medication and treatment.
