Advancing cardiovascular imaging in Iraq: infrastructure, gender diversity, and future perspectives

Cardiovascular imaging (CVI) provides an essential and accurate assessment of cardiac anatomy, function, and prognosis, thereby guiding management planning in long-term illnesses. It plays an essential role in modern cardiology in Iraq, where the adoption of advanced CVI technologies has enhanced diagnostic precision and patient care. However, there are some limitations that may interrupt the specialized improvement process, including a shortage of specialized personnel, limited infrastructure, and economic barriers. To address these challenges, the Iraqi Council of Cardiology established a nationally accredited CVI fellowship program in 2019. The key feature to initiate the program is the deliberate integration of diversity, particularly gender and geographic representation, into the training framework. This approach yielded a significantly high participation of women in CVI compared to other cardiology subspecialties in Iraq, which eventually reflected a special regional trend and productive response to workforce gaps. Also, geographic diversity has widened access to expertise across governorates, supporting equitable healthcare delivery. Regardless of these advances, marked progress needs continued investment in infrastructure and alignment with international standards. Furthermore, expanding and strengthening research capacity and fostering international collaborations will be critical to advance the whole process. The Iraqi CVI program has illustrated the framework of policy, training, and workforce planning that will overcome systemic limitations and contribute to the advancement of equitable cardiovascular care in resource-limited settings.