A heated confrontation has erupted between Iraq’s Health and Environment ministries over the state of the Tigris River, as allegations regarding the disposal of hazardous medical waste have sparked a debate over institutional accountability and public safety.
The tension began when Environment Minister Srwa Abdulwahid publicly criticized various government bodies, including the Ministry of Health, accusing them of failing to address the illegal discharge of pollutants into one of Iraq’s most vital water sources. Abdulwahid identified the Baghdad Municipality, provincial authorities, and several ministries—including those governing oil and electricity—as primary contributors to the severe degradation of the river’s water quality. Specifically, she warned of untreated medical waste, including biological materials like blood from hospital patients, being flushed into the Tigris.
In response, the Ministry of Health issued a firm denial on Sunday. Spokesperson Saif al-Badr characterized the allegations as baseless, insisting that all wastewater produced by health facilities undergoes rigorous treatment through government-approved systems. The Ministry further clarified that the T1 wastewater treatment plant near Baghdad’s Medical City—a facility previously linked to the controversy—falls under the jurisdiction of the Baghdad Municipality, not the Health Ministry.
The dispute took a more intense turn when the Ministry of Health addressed public alarm regarding the potential for disease transmission. Reports had circulated suggesting that untreated medical waste in the river could facilitate the spread of HIV. The Ministry of Health flatly rejected this, calling the claim “scientifically unfounded” and emphasizing that HIV cannot be contracted through fish, drinking water, or food. The Environment Ministry later issued its own statement to clarify that its warnings had focused on general environmental and health risks rather than the transmission of specific viruses like HIV, accusing some media outlets of sensationalizing the issue.
Despite the Health Ministry’s denials, Minister Abdulwahid remains defiant. Taking to the social media platform X, she dismissed the Ministry’s rebuttal as an attempt to “evade responsibility” through “yellow journalism” and coordinated campaigns. She reiterated her commitment to pursuing legal action against any officials responsible for environmental negligence, regardless of their standing. “I will not remain silent as the lives of Iraqis are endangered by polluting water and air,” she stated, urging government departments to address systemic shortcomings rather than engaging in public blame-shifting.
The row occurs against a backdrop of worsening water scarcity and long-standing environmental instability in Iraq. Environmental advocates have frequently sounded the alarm on the state of the Tigris, which serves millions of residents and sustains the nation’s agricultural sector.
In August, the Iraq Green Observatory, an environmental watchdog, reported that more than 500 sources—ranging from industrial sites to medical facilities—are discharging waste directly or indirectly into the Tigris across five provinces. Abdulwahid herself has previously estimated that roughly six million cubic meters of untreated wastewater are dumped into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers daily, with 1.5 million cubic meters originating in Baghdad alone.
As the ministries continue to trade accusations, the core issue of how to manage hazardous waste in a country already struggling with water security remains a critical, and unresolved, national challenge. Both sides have called for a move toward “scientific facts and official documents,” yet the persistent levels of pollution continue to pose significant, tangible risks to the public health of the millions of citizens who rely on the river for survival.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
