The Runaki electricity project in Erbil is expected to help reduce cancer rates by cutting pollution. Health officials in the city believe this major shift in energy policy could improve public health in the years ahead.
Dr. Hardi Jawad, director of Nanakali Hospital for Oncology, said the project’s goal to provide 24-hour power by the end of 2026 will bring big health benefits. He explained that shutting down over a thousand diesel generators has already reduced pollution in central Erbil.
“These generators used to release harmful smoke every day,” Dr. Jawad said. “This pollution has caused many health problems, including cancer. Removing them will help protect citizens’ health.”
So far, the Runaki project has delivered 24-hour electricity to more than 2.7 million people. This represents around 40% of the Kurdistan Region’s total population. Authorities say the rest of the region will be included by 2026.
Despite this progress, cancer rates continue to rise in the region. Dr. Jawad confirmed an increase compared to last year but added that many patients come from outside Erbil. “A lot of them are from other provinces and come to Nanakali for treatment,” he said.
Hiwa Hospital’s director, Dr. Yad Naqshbandi, also confirmed this trend. He said nearly 2,000 cancer cases have been registered in the first half of 2025 alone.
To support patients, Dr. Jawad highlighted help from the Kurdistan Regional Government and local philanthropists. However, he criticized the limited support from federal sources. “The health ministry sends us very little medicine,” he noted. “It doesn’t even last a week.”
In a promising move, Erbil will soon open a bone marrow transplant center. This step marks a key milestone in improving cancer treatment options in the city.