Food and Health Room

[Anthea]

Italian Army donates medical equipment

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a collaborative gesture aimed at enhancing healthcare services in Erbil, the Italian National Army, as part of the international coalition training Peshmerga forces, donated essential medical equipment to the Raparin Teaching Hospital for Children

The donation ceremony took place on Sunday, attended by prominent local leaders, including Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw, Col. Ciro Forte, Commander of the IT-NCC Land contingent, and Dilovan Mohammed, Erbil’s Director General of Health.

The Italian contingent provided the hospital with much-needed medical supplies, including a DC shock machine, six infusion pumps, 85 bed mattresses, and additional equipment. These resources are expected to significantly improve the hospital's capacity to care for pediatric patients in the region.

Governor Khoshnaw expressed his gratitude to Col. Forte and the Italian forces for their support, emphasizing that these contributions would strengthen the healthcare system in Erbil. “This assistance will help us extend vital health services to more citizens in our city,” he said.

The donation aligns with ongoing efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s ninth cabinet to improve healthcare infrastructure across the region. Raparin Teaching Hospital, one of Erbil's key healthcare institutions for children, is currently undergoing renovations to further enhance its facilities and better serve the growing population.

This partnership with the Italian National Army reflects a broader commitment by the international coalition to support not only the military training of Peshmerga forces but also the wellbeing of civilians, underscoring the importance of health and security in the Kurdistan Region.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... r-children

[Anthea]

Festival promotes Amedi’s renowned tahini

AMEDI, Kurdistan Region - The town of Amedi in Duhok province is famous for its tahini, which is the showcase of an annual festival now in its second edition

Tahini factory owner Ibrahim Hassan was well prepared for the two-day event that kicked off on Thursday. His sesame seed grinder worked around the clock, powered by hydroelectricity, to produce nearly 1,000 kilos of the delicious paste.

“We grind around 60 tons of our sesame a year, in addition to 15-20 tons from other people,” said Hassan.

Amedi has 34 grinders partially powered by hydroelectricity, turning sesame seeds into delicious tahini.

Last year, nearly 600 tons of tahini were produced in the town, with 65 tons exported to the Netherlands and 25 tons to the United States, according to Hakar Hamid, head of Amedi agriculture directorate

“Eight hundred and fifty dunams of land was used for sesame in Amedi, producing nearly 240 tons of sesame,” said Hamid.

The festival, which attracts people from across the Kurdistan Region, is growing. Last year, there were 40 tents. This year, the number increased to 60.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/151120241

[Anthea]

Akre pomegranate molasses

AKRE, Kurdistan Region - Farmers in the Akre district of Duhok province follow the traditional method to make high-quality pomegranate molasses

Every fall, the families of Gundik village collectively harvest their pomegranates, selling some of the fruit and using the rest to make molasses.

Collective work is part of the traditional process, using skills learned after decades of farming. They do not use any machinery.

The first step is removing the seeds

“It is better to remove the seeds using a stick to speed up the process. We do it collectively so that the work is done swiftly. We help our parents. We sell the good pomegranates untouched while making molasses from the rest,” said villager Bayan Mohammed.

The extracted juice is strained before being boiled. The natural sourness of the pomegranates enhances the quality of the molasses.

“We all work together to make molasses from morning to late afternoon. We have to monitor the process to make sure it is thick and the foam is skimmed off. We should also keep the fire burning so that it does not negatively change the taste. Sometimes we have to lower the heat so that it does not boil over,” said villager Amina Mohammed.

Customers prefer molasses that is thick

“We sell a kilo of thick molasses for seven to eight thousand dinars. No one buys the light one,” said farmer Mohammed Salih.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/15112024