SULAIMANI,— A medical team in Sulaimani, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, has finished a complex nose reconstruction for a laborer who suffered severe facial damage in a high-voltage electrical accident.

Dr. Diyar Abdulwahid, a plastic and cosmetic surgery specialist, led the multi-step operation and discussed the case on Channel8 TV’s Health News program.

The worker had lost a large section of his nose after being injured in the workplace accident. To fix the damage, the surgical team chose prefabricated forehead flap method, a demanding procedure usually kept for major facial injuries.

The technique works by growing nasal tissue on the forehead first, then moving it to the nose in a later operation once it has developed properly.

Dr. Abdulwahid said standard facial repairs are common in the region’s surgical units, but building a prefabricated forehead flap specifically for an electrical burn injury is an unusual case worldwide.

He told the channel that the first stage of the transplant went well, and the patient is now getting ready for the final step, when the tissue will be moved to the nose once it has fully settled.

This forehead flap approach is considered one of the more advanced methods in nose reconstruction.

Older forehead flap techniques move tissue to the nose fairly quickly, but this newer method takes place in stages over a longer period.

Surgeons first place blood vessel tissue, usually taken from the temple or groin area, under the skin of the forehead. Over several weeks, this tissue builds a strong blood supply.

That supply then supports a skin graft, which grows into a piece of tissue shaped for the nose. Once that tissue has matured and has steady blood flow, doctors move it to repair the nose in another surgery.

Though the process takes time and skill, it works well for serious injuries like burns, where nearby tissue is too damaged for regular repair methods.

It also avoids leaving a scar on the forehead and produces tissue that matches the nose’s color and texture, giving surgeons a strong option for difficult reconstruction cases.

(With files from Channel8.com | Agencies)

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ZAKHO,— 75 people were admitted to Zakho’s emergency hospital after suspected food poisoning at a restaurant in Zakho district, Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan, the Kurdistan Region’s health ministry said Thursday.

Patients received treatment at the hospital, according to a statement from the ministry.

Health Minister Saman Barzanji of the Kurdistan Regional Government directed authorities to take legal action against the restaurant, the ministry said.

The restaurant was shut immediately pending legal proceedings. Health teams collected food samples for investigation, the ministry told media.

A man waiting outside the hospital told Rudaw that his wife and three daughters ate at the restaurant and were among those poisoned.

Mass food poisoning incidents have occurred previously in Iraqi Kurdistan.

In 2025, around 200 people were hospitalized after eating at a local restaurant in Duhok.

In 2017, more than 825 displaced persons from Mosul suffered food poisoning after eating food delivered to their camp near Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.

(With files from Rudaw)

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Kurdish Female Komala Party Fighter Dies After Four Hospitals Deny Her Care in Sulaimani

SULAIMANI,— Four hospitals in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, refused to treat a wounded Iranian Kurdish female Peshmerga fighter after she was injured in an Iranian drone strike, and she died following more than an hour of failed attempts to find her a bed, reports said.

Ghazal Mawlan, a member of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, an Iranian Kurdish opposition party operating from Iraqi Kurdistan, sustained serious injuries Tuesday when drones launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran struck the Surdash camp.

Two other Komala fighters were also injured in the attack.

Her comrades rushed her to Sulaimani for emergency care. The first stop was Shorsh Hospital, where medical staff gave her basic initial treatment.

When the group requested admission for further services, including MRI scans, X-rays and intensive care, the hospital said it lacked available beds and the necessary equipment.

A comrade later said it became clear a decision had been handed down from above not to accept the patient.

Asia Hospital was contacted next and refused outright. The group then went to Baxshin Hospital, which at first agreed to take her in.

Once staff confirmed the case was connected to a drone attack and had a political dimension, the hospital withdrew its agreement. An argument broke out.

A doctor on the scene checked Mawlan’s pulse and warned that her heart rate had fallen to a dangerous level. The hospital still did not admit her. The group stood outside for more than 30 minutes.

Attempts to reach Mercy Hospital from inside the ambulance went unanswered. After more than 10 minutes of calls, Farooq Hospital agreed to accept her following a short internal delay.

When she arrived, staff moved her inside immediately. Minutes later, a doctor reported her heart had stopped. She was connected to a ventilator, indicating a critical emergency state. Efforts to save her continued for more than an hour before she died.

Amjad Hussein Panahi, a member of Komala’s leadership, published the account as told by Mawlan’s comrade, saying the collapse of her heart rate during the transfer from Baxshin Hospital to Farooq Hospital was central to her death.

The news spread rapidly online. Some critics suggested that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which holds authority in Sulaimani, may have quietly discouraged hospitals from admitting members of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, as the party is believed to be cautious about provoking Iran.

Iran has repeatedly struck Kurdish opposition camps in Iraqi Kurdistan in recent weeks with drones and missiles.

Dr. Goran Abdullah, a well-known physician in Iraqi Kurdistan, posted a sharp reaction online, saying the Islamic Republic killed Mawlan once and that those running Kurdistan’s healthcare sector killed her many times over.

Users across Kurdish platforms demanded accountability from the hospitals and expressed sympathy for Mawlan and for Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan, also referred to as Iranian Kurdistan, who have faced sustained Iranian military strikes targeting opposition factions.

None of the four hospitals issued a public statement. Komala confirmed the Surdash camp was struck and identified Mawlan among those killed.

(With files from Agencies)

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How face fillers changed beauty standards for Kurdish women in Iraqi Kurdistan

Sara Hussein | Exclusive to iKurd.net

In recent years, a quiet but striking transformation has taken place across Iraqi Kurdistan. From the bustling beauty clinics of Erbil and Sulaimani to small-town salons, face fillers have become almost a rite of passage for young Kurdish women.

Walk through the malls or scroll through social media, and it seems nearly every woman has the same look, plumped lips, high cheekbones, smooth skin, and a sculpted jawline.

What began as a cosmetic trend has turned into a powerful social statement, reshaping not only faces but also perceptions of beauty, identity, and self-worth.

A New Face of Beauty

For many Kurdish women, fillers represent modernity, sophistication, and confidence. Influenced by Instagram aesthetics, Turkish celebrities, and Middle Eastern influencers, the “perfect” face has become standardized, symmetrical, contoured, and polished.

Clinics promote fillers as harmless and reversible, marketing them as an easy path to perfection. Even teenagers barely out of high school are getting their first injections, often encouraged by friends or social media comparisons.

But beneath this glossy image lies a troubling reality. The obsession with fillers has created a culture of uniformity, where individuality is being erased. Kurdish women, known for their naturally diverse and striking features, are increasingly starting to look the same.

The unique beauty of ethnic traits, distinct noses, expressive eyes, natural lips, is being replaced by a single, artificial ideal.

The Illusion of Improvement

Fillers promise instant beauty, but they often take away what truly makes a face beautiful: authenticity and expression. Even tiny amounts can alter how light hits the skin or how muscles move when smiling. The result is a face that looks slightly “off” smoother, stiffer, or puffier.

The human eye is remarkably sensitive to such differences, which is why we often recognize a “filled” face immediately, even if it’s subtle.

Over time, the effects can become more pronounced. Repeated use stretches the skin and disturbs the natural aging process. Once the filler dissolves, the face may look deflated or uneven. Migration when filler moves from its original location, can cause puffiness or distortion.

Ironically, women who start fillers young to stay youthful may end up looking older sooner, as their faces lose elasticity and balance.

A Culture of Pressure and Comparison

The deeper issue is not medical but psychological and cultural. In Kurdish society, as in many parts of the Middle East, women face immense pressure to maintain a perfect appearance.

Social media amplifies this, creating constant comparison. Many young women no longer feel naturally beautiful; they feel “unfinished” without cosmetic help. Compliments and validation become tied to how “done” one looks, rather than to natural charm or personality.

There is also a paradox: in a conservative society where modesty in dress is often expected, the face becomes one of the few visible areas for self-expression. That focus has made the face a battleground for identity and acceptance. But what started as empowerment through beauty has turned into conformity through alteration.

The Disappearing Expression

Perhaps the saddest part of this transformation is emotional. Overfilled faces tend to lose the micro-expressions, small, natural movements around the eyes and mouth, that convey warmth and sincerity.

The “filler face” might look smooth and flawless, but it can also appear blank or distant. Smiles lose their softness; eyes lose their spark. The face becomes a mask of beauty rather than a mirror of feeling.

Rediscovering Natural Beauty

Some Kurdish women are beginning to question the trend. A small but growing number of influencers and doctors now promote minimalism, balance, and “filler breaks.” They advocate skincare, nutrition, and natural aging instead of constant injections. These voices remind people that beauty is not symmetry or volume, it is character, emotion, and individuality.

Kurdish women have long been admired for their strength, resilience, and natural beauty. It would be a shame if a generation lost that to an artificial standard created by social media and profit-driven clinics.

True elegance does not come from a syringe. It comes from confidence, personality, and the ability to express who you really are, lines, flaws, and all.

Cultural Contrast Abroad

When Kurdish women or women from the wider Middle East travel to Europe, they often notice that their appearance attracts attention.

In many European countries, where subtle makeup and minimal cosmetic enhancement are the norm, heavy makeup, sharply contoured features, and visible fillers can stand out.

The contrast is not about right or wrong beauty ideals; it reflects different cultural aesthetics. In some Western contexts, such dramatic styles are more often associated with nightlife or entertainment settings, while daily beauty standards tend to emphasize naturalness and understatement.

As a result, Middle Eastern women who present themselves in the glamorous style common at home may find that people abroad perceive them differently. This cultural gap shows how deeply beauty norms are shaped by social context and how what is admired in one region can seem exaggerated in another.

Illusions and False Expectations

Using fillers, skin-lightening products, and other cosmetic changes can sometimes create false expectations about how a person really looks. These treatments only change appearance on the outside; they do not change a person’s natural features or genetics.

In some marriages, a man might choose a woman based on how she looks after many cosmetic treatments, without realizing that her natural appearance is different.

Later, when they have children, the baby will naturally inherit the parents’ real features, not the ones created by fillers or filters. This can lead to surprise or disappointment. It shows how important it is for people to value honesty and natural beauty, instead of being influenced by temporary or artificial looks.

Sara Hussein, a Kurdish writer living abroad, she focuses on politics, culture, and religion. She is a contributing writer for iKurd.net.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

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ERBIL,— The first reported case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) this year in Iraq’s Kurdistan region has been identified in Koya, a town in Erbil province, regional health officials said Friday.

The infected individual, a 42-year-old man employed as a butcher, is being treated in Erbil. His condition is currently stable, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, Sarkar Surchi, said in a statement.

CCHF is a serious viral disease that spreads to humans through the bite of infected ticks or contact with contaminated animal blood and tissue.

Though livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle carry the virus without symptoms, they are key vectors in its transmission to humans. The illness is associated with high fever, internal bleeding, and can be fatal in up to 40% of cases.

The Kurdistan Regional Government enacted precautionary protocols last month in anticipation of increased seasonal risk, following a pattern of rising cases in recent years.

The disease, present in Iraq since at least 1979, remains a concern for national health officials. In 2022, Iraq—including the Kurdistan region—saw nearly 140 cases of hemorrhagic fevers, including CCHF, and 12 related deaths. In 2023, the health ministry reported over 375 confirmed CCHF cases nationwide.

So far in 2025, at least 22 infections have been reported across Iraq, including three fatalities, health authorities confirmed.

Public health agencies continue to issue warnings and encourage individuals who work closely with livestock to exercise increased caution.

Officials have not released further information on additional suspected cases, but monitoring and surveillance are ongoing.

(With files from Agencies)

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ERBIL,— Autism rates in Iraqi Kurdistan have seen a sharp rise in recent years, with 3,900 individuals currently diagnosed, the Kurdistan Autism Association said on Tuesday.

Speaking on World Autism Awareness Day, Kamal Jabar, head of the association, warned that the lack of resources poses a serious challenge for both affected individuals and their families.

He stressed the urgent need for expanded autism support services and more government involvement.

The latest data shows Erbil province leading with the highest number of autism cases, followed by Sulaimani, Halabja, and Duhok.

Smaller regions, such as Garmiyan and Zakho, have also reported significant numbers. According to the association, autism is more prevalent among boys, with nearly 80 percent of cases occurring in males.

The overall rate of autism diagnosis in the region has increased significantly over time. In 2008, one in 150 children was diagnosed with the condition, but that number has since shifted to one in 90.

Experts warn that if this trend continues, one in every 20 children in the Kurdistan region could be diagnosed with autism in the coming years, making it a widespread public health issue.

The Kurdistan Autism Association has raised concerns about the growing burden on families, particularly those who have little to no access to specialized care. At least 50 families have reportedly separated due to the stress associated with raising a child with autism.

In addition, a large number of parents experience mental health challenges, with the association estimating that around 80 percent of them require psychological support.

Despite these struggles, the majority of families receive little to no financial aid or access to specialized services. A small percentage of autistic children benefit from care at government centers, while even fewer receive direct financial support.

The Kurdistan regional Government has requested additional funding from Baghdad, but no official decision has been made regarding the matter.

Currently, there are autism centers spread across various provinces in the Kurdistan region, though only a limited number of them receive government funding. Many families, particularly in rural areas, lack access to nearby facilities and are forced to travel long distances to receive specialized care.

Jabar has urged authorities to expand autism services and ensure that children in remote areas receive proper support. He has also called upon international organizations and non-governmental entities to step in and provide assistance where local resources fall short.

The Autism Association has submitted a request to the Kurdistan regional Government outlining key measures to support families. These proposals include financial aid programs, improved housing assistance, and better educational opportunities for autistic children.

The association has also suggested establishing long-term residential care centers for older children who require specialized support beyond what families can provide at home.

Jabar stressed that autism is not merely a medical condition but a broader societal issue that requires immediate attention. Without intervention, families across the Kurdistan region will continue to struggle with the increasing demands of caring for autistic children, he warned.

(With files from Agencies)

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Rizgar Khoshnaw | Exclusive to iKurd.net

In the past ten years, I have met with Qubad Talabani five times to discuss business opportunities in Kurdistan. The first time I met with him in Washington, DC we discussed the oil-for-food program. After that meeting, we met again and we covered other opportunities, such oil and construction projects, in Kurdistan. One project that I worked on diligently was the 400 bed hospital for Sulaimani because I Knew the urgent need for such project in Kurdistan.

It was July 2004 when my company owner, Mr. “G” as I have referred to in my past articles, had asked me to meet with his friend in Baghdad and discuss construction projects for Kurdistan only. I had convinced Mr. “G” to work in Kurdistan and he agreed. This friend, Admiral David J. Nash, was the director of the Program Management Office for all of Iraq under the Coalition Provisional Authority. He was the top individual that was in charge of all of the contracts and rebuilding of Iraq at that time.

After meeting with Admiral Nash few times in his Baghdad office, he told me that there was a 400 bed hospital project in Kurdistan and for me to consider. Once he gave me this information, I contacted/met Qubad in Washington and we discussed this project. Qubad asked me to speak with the person in charge on this particular project, Herish Muhram, and to report back to him after my meeting. I must admit, and I always give credit where credit is due, that Qubad truly tried very hard to help me and my company with this project.

On July 12, 2004, I traveled to Sulaimani to meet with Herish and on July 15, at 10:00 am, I held a meeting with Herish and his staff (such as Dana Hussein Qadir among others) to discuss this project. They told me that the first thing that I needed was to study this project first. They provided me with three CDs containing all of the needed specifications and once we reviewed it, then we needed to provide them a cost estimate.

Two days later, I returned to Washington and had a meeting with Mr. “G” and we began to look into this project. After we held this meeting, Mr. “G” asked me to travel to Germany and meet with a company (AJZ Engineering) that specializes with such projects. I traveled to Germany and held a meeting with three personnel from AJZ Engineering and I told them that we were interested in joining forces with them to build this hospital in Kurdistan and the agreed.

After my meeting in Germany, I returned to Washington and held a meeting with Mr. “G” and other partners and I discussed my meeting with AJZ. To make a long story short, the figure/amount that everyone had in mind for such project was around $150 million to build a first class hospital and this project would be completed in two years.

After gathering this information, I contacted Hersih and told him what we had in mind. He, as well as his advisors, thought we were out of our minds to have come up with such price!! They said that they found a company that would “implement” this project for only $57 million!

I do not know how Herish determined that the price/amount we gave him was too much? What experience did he have at that time ( or even now) to say that he could build such hospital, which Kurdistan never had, for $57 million? It is amazing how people in Kurdistan just guess on projects and work and hope that they are right! This is one reason we can not get a head in Kurdistan.

I shared this information with Mr. “G” and our partners and they told me that there is no way on earth anyone could build and equip a 400 bed hospital for this price any where in the world. The machines/equipments (not including the building it self) that are required for such hospital alone would run around that price; the $57 million.

No long after that, I found out that Herish was “invited” to Korea for a whole month on a fully paid “visit” by the Koreans and shortly after his return, he awarded this contract to the Koreans. As soon as I found out, I e-mailed Qubad and told him that there is no way that this hospital is ever going to be built. I was right seven years ago and I am right now. I say that because this hospital was never built!!

It was ironic that during my trip to Kurdistan this January that I found out what happen to this 400 bed hospital. I picked up the weekly news paper, KurdishGlobe No. 290 January, 2011, and I read a story/article titled, “Protesters Demand Sulaimani’s 400 Bed Hospital Completed.” After reading the article, I found out the same Korean company that Herish awarded this contract to, stole $25,561,197 and fled Kurdistan!! Now the Kurds refer to this hospital as the “400 YEAR hospital!!” because they have given up on having a decent hospital!!

What is KRG thinking? Why is this happening? Why is it that many people within the KRG do not care about the well being of their citizens? What upsets me more than anything else, not only Hersih was not fired or reprimanded, but he was promoted!! As we all know now the position that he holds and travels the world drumming up corrupt business!! Any where else in the world such individual would not be any where near business or hold a political position for his corruption and mismanagement. But in Kurdistan “it is not what you know, but who you know” that gets you ahead!! And of course, if you honest, you can not succeed in Kurdistan no matter what.

As I had written in my previous article, I have witnessed death of young children due to the poor health care system in Kurdistan and that must change. Kurdistan is not poor and there is no excuses for not having a good health care available to the public.

I am sure if we had a better health care system in place in Kurdistan the loss of innocent Lazo Salam, among many other children, last week could have been prevented. I almost lost my son in one of those so called “hospitals” in Kurdistan five years ago and I will never ever forget that miserable day. The only different between me and my fellow Kurds living in Kurdistan is that I am an American citizen with a choice and I am not forced to live in Kurdistan. I left Kurdistan with my family few days after this horrifying incident and vowed to never bring them back and I have kept my promise.

Rizgar Xoshnaw, a senior Kurdish writer based in Washington, a longtime contributing writer and columnist for iKurd.net.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

Copyright © 2011 iKurd.net. All rights reserved

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