A hospital in Turkey to help Kurdish journalists

The hospital will cut 50 to 70 percent of the cost.

Iraqi journalists are calling for more help, as a majority--including journalists in Kurdistan Region-are facing difficult financial issues.

The Organization of Writers Without Borders in Iraq has signed a deal with a big hospital in Ankara, capital of Turkey, to treat Iraqi and Kurdistan Region journalists, as well as their families, at a discounted cost.

"From the 25th of this month, journalists and their families can get treatment in the hospital," said Mam Burhan Qaneh, head of Writers Without Borders from the Suleimaniyah city office.

Qaneh pointed out that according to the deal, the hospital will cut 50 to 70 percent of the cost. Moreover, the organization will prepare visas for the journalists and their families. He requested that journalists visit their offices in Erbil, Suleimaniyah, and Kirkuk for more information.

Writers Without Borders in Iraq was established in 2005. It is a nongovernmental organization that aims to help Iraqi writers and journalists; its headquarters is in Kirkuk city.

Qaneh told "The Kurdish Globe" that since the organization announced the statement, in a very short time a number of journalists have contacted the organization and want to go to the hospital.

He mentioned that Iraqi journalists deserve more help and support from government and nongovernmental organizations. Ara Ibrahim, a journalist from Kurdish language "Hawlati," praised the efforts of Writers Without Borders.

Ibrahim said, "There is not so much help for Iraqi journalists including journalists in Kurdistan; we only have a syndicate, and the only thing they do is give us an identification--nothing more."

the article and photo by Qassim Khidhir