The Cancer Patients Support Fund has launched a new healthcare project to improve cancer treatment services across the Kurdistan Region. The organization supplied 12 advanced scalp cooling devices to major cancer hospitals and treatment centers in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.
The project cost more than 419 million Iraqi dinars. Health officials say the main goal is to help patients keep their hair during chemotherapy treatment. Many cancer patients struggle emotionally with hair loss, so doctors hope the new technology will improve both mental well-being and self-confidence.
The fund distributed five devices to Hiwa Hospital in Sulaymaniyah. Nanakali Hospital and the Erbil cancer treatment center received four devices. Omid Hospital in Duhok received three additional machines.
Cancer Patients Support Fund Executive Director Muzaffar Yaba said Germany manufactured the devices. He explained that medical teams currently monitor the machines during a testing phase to measure their effectiveness and benefits for patients.
Yaba added that the organization plans to provide more devices if the trial phase delivers successful results. He stressed that the project reflects ongoing efforts to modernize cancer treatment centers throughout the Kurdistan Region.
Scalp cooling devices use modern technology to cool the scalp during chemotherapy sessions. The cooling process reduces blood flow to hair follicles and lowers the impact of chemotherapy drugs on the hair. As a result, many patients experience less hair loss during treatment.
Doctors say the technology works best for some patients, especially women with breast cancer. Specialists also note that patients with strong and healthy hair before treatment often gain the greatest benefit from the devices. Health officials hope the project will make cancer treatment less stressful and improve the overall experience for patients and their families.