The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced Saturday (March 17th) the launch of an IQD 780 billion project ($669 million) to build 87 health centres and maternity and childcare hospitals in a number of Iraqi provinces.

Ministry of Health undersecretary Khamis al-Saad told Al-Shorfa that Indian, Italian, and Greek companies will undertake the project. The companies signed contracts with the ministry at the end of last year, he said, and the project is anticipated to be completed within 12-14 months at most.

The companies will be fined if they miss that deadline, he added.

Construction work will begin today, al-Saad said, adding that the ministry and a parliamentary oversight committee has appointed engineers and inspectors to follow up on companies' work and help with any obstacles they face.