Iraq's health minister resigns after deadly hospital blaze

Hassan Al Tamimi steps down following the deaths of 82 people in a hospital fire

Firefighters extinguish a fire that broke out at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Baghdad, EPA

Aftermath of a fire that ripped through the intensive care unit of Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Iraq's capital Baghdad. EPA

Parts of the walls and windows of the second floor of Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad were blackened by soot from the fire. EPA

At least 82 people died and another 110 injured when a fire broke out following the explosion of an oxygen tank at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. EPA

Investigative teams are looking for the cause of an oxygen tank explosion in an intensive care unit for coronavirus patients at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Baghdad. EPA

The Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in southern Baghdad where a fire broke out following the explosion of an oxygen tank on April 24, 2021. EPA

A firefighting vehicle arrives at the scene of a fire that erupted in a Baghdad hospital's intensive care unit for coronavirus patients. AP

First responders work at the scene of a fire at Ibn Al Qateeb hospital, south of Baghdad. AP

People and medical staff walk through the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

People gather outside the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

A Covid-19 patient is prepared for rescue in an ambulance outside Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad. Reuters

People look at dmage from an explosion and fire at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad. Reuters

People gather at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

People walk through the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital after the oxygen tank explosion and fire. Reuters

Medics attend to a Covid-19 patient in an ambulance outside Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

Iraqi Health Minister Hassan Al Tamimi resigned on Tuesday after a deadly hospital blast that killed dozens.

At least 82 people were killed and 110 injured in a huge fire in the pulmonary intensive care unit on the second floor of the Ibn Al Khatib Hospital in Baghdad's Jisr Diyala district last week.

“Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi approved the resignation request of Minister of Health and Environment Hassan Al Tamimi after an investigation report was formed following the incident at Ibn Al Khatib hospital,” a statement by Mr Al Kadhimi’s office said.

Reports suggested an accident had caused an oxygen tank to explode, sparking the blaze.

Hundreds of firefighters and residents rushed to the area, trying to put out the fire and rescue patients. Later, videos circulated on social media showing patients’ relatives crying hysterically and beating their heads and chests in grief.

Emergency service officials said many patients died when they were taken off oxygen machines to be evacuated, while others were suffocated by smoke.

The prime minister described the incident as a “setback” and blamed negligence.

Shortly after the fire, Mr Al Kadhimi dismissed the director of the hospital and other senior officials from the hospital.

Mr Al Tamimi and the Governor of Baghdad, Mohammed Ata, were immediately suspended.

After the incident, the government ordered hospitals across the country to review and implement better health and safety procedures.

An investigation was carried out on the causes of the fire and a report submitted to the Council of Ministers.

The government lifted Mr Al Tamimi’s suspension on Tuesday but he resigned shortly after.

Ibn Al Khatib Hospital was converted to treat Covid-19 patients as the country has recorded a surge in infected cases.

Since the outbreak of the virus in March 2020, Iraq has recorded 1,079,998 cases and 15,566 deaths.

Decades of economic sanctions, wars and rampant corruption has left Iraq's healthcare system in ruins.

The country was once known to have one of the best healthcare system in the region.

The Ibn Al Khatib Hospital blaze highlighted dire states of Iraq's health sector.

Much of Iraq’s health infrastructure was built during the 1970s and 1980s. Most medicines and medical supplies are only available on the black market and medical staff are dying from Covid-19 because of a lack of protection.