The Iraqi Health Ministry is facing unprecedented pressure from the public as the number of coronavirus infections is on the rise. Iraqi activists launched a campaign demanding the resignation of Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi, who heads the team handling the outbreak in the country.
Many are accusing Tamimi of failing to stem the spread of the coronavirus and are calling for his replacement by former health minister Jaafar Allawi.
Football legend Ahmed Radhi died on Sunday from complications linked to COVID-19. His death added to public fears and anxiety.
Dozens of Radhi's fans demonstrated on Monday at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad and in front of the Ministry of Health building in Bab Al-Muadham area, and demanded the dismissal of Tamimi and holding him responsible for Radhi’s death.
The footballer’s death sparked widespread controversy about the health system crisis in Iraq, which has been suffering from several problems for years due to corruption and mismanagement.
Tamimi, for his part, said on Monday that the country is nearing the peak stage of the outbreak that the ministry was exerting every effort to contain the increasing number of infections.
