Under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and with the presence of the Minister of Health, the Director Generals from both ministries, the President of Hawler Medical University, several university presidents, and numerous government and political officials, the College of Dentistry at our university, in collaboration with the Cancer Aid Fund of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Health and in coordination with Iraq’s Federal Ministry of Health and universities from Sulaimani, Baghdad, Duhok, Mosul, and the Hussein Center for Cancer in Jordan, successfully hosted the First Annual Conference on Oral and Maxillofacial Cancer in Iraq.
The conference was held over two days, May 22–23, 2025, at Rotana Hotel in Erbil.
The conference featured:
15 scientific sessions
8 discussion panels
48 speakers and panelists
Participation from 180 specialized surgeons and 350 general practitioners
Attendees included specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physicians, oncologists, radiologists, general surgeons, dentists, and community health professionals from hospitals in Erbil, Duhok, Sulaimani, Mosul, Baghdad, and Amman, representing both academic and clinical fields.
The panels addressed:
Innovations and challenges in early detection of oral and maxillofacial cancers
Surgical, chemical, biological, and radiological treatment approaches
A dedicated session on the National Program for Early Detection of Oral and Maxillofacial Cancer, which involved key representatives from the Ministries of Health in both the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, as well as the World Health Organization
The conference concluded with a commitment to support and implement the National Program for Early Detection, aiming to remove existing barriers to its expansion and effectiveness.
Additionally, scientific research and discussions were an integral part of the conference. Heads of departments from partner colleges presented their future plans for conducting research in cancer detection, treatment, and risk assessment.
The final panel focused on establishing a national protocol for managing this type of cancer—from early diagnosis to treatment and reintegration of patients into society—assigning clear responsibilities to all involved sectors. It was decided that this protocol would be reviewed and updated annually based on developments in the field.
