In a pioneering initiative, the Health and Medical Education Authority of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has signed a landmark agreement with South Korea to establish the Korean Center for Robotic Reconstructive Surgery in the Karbala Governorate. This project, the first of its kind in Iraq, is being launched in cooperation with Daechan Hospital, one of Asia’s leading centers for specialized medical care.

Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, Head of the Authority, stated, “The Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, through its Health and Medical Education Authority, has entered into an official partnership with South Korea to establish a state-of-the-art center dedicated to robotic reconstructive surgery in Karbala. This initiative reflects our strategic vision to advance Iraq’s healthcare system and promote medical innovation.”

Dr. Al-Abadi emphasized that the center will represent a major leap forward in the field of robotic surgery in Iraq. The facility will focus particularly on reconstructive surgeries for complex limb and spinal deformities, using the latest global medical technologies.

“South Korea is a global leader in this field, with a distinguished cadre of specialists in congenital and orthopedic surgery,” he explained. “Their advancements include the development of high-performance surgical materials, such as ultra-lightweight artificial knee joints weighing less than 180 grams, and minimally invasive procedures for severe spinal curvature correction requiring incisions as small as 3 centimeters, despite spanning the full length of the spine.”

The agreement outlines a multi-phase collaboration. It includes training programs for Iraqi medical personnel, the deployment of Korean experts to Iraq, the development of treatment protocols, and the formation of integrated medical teams composed of surgeons, technicians, physiotherapists, and surgical nurses.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, Iraqi medical teams will be sent to South Korea for specialized training, while Korean professionals will be received in Karbala to oversee implementation and ensure knowledge transfer. The goal is to establish an Iraqi medical team capable of working to international standards in this highly advanced field.

Dr. Al-Abadi confirmed that the first steps of the project will commence in the coming days, with the arrival of the Korean team and the departure of Iraqi personnel for training abroad. He also revealed that the success of this initiative may lay the groundwork for the establishment of a fully integrated hospital specializing in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery as part of the Shrine’s long-term development strategy.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to achieve regional leadership in the field of advanced surgical specialties and place Iraq firmly on the map of modern medicine,” he concluded.

This agreement is part of a broader effort by the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine’s Health and Medical Education Authority to build international partnerships that align with the latest scientific and medical advancements, in order to better serve patients both within Iraq and beyond its borders.