A CORNISH health consultancy will be advising an international consortium of companies on the design of three new hospitals which are to be built in Iraq.

The hospitals will be a crucial part of the rebuilding of Iraq and are being built in Baghdad, Diyala, in the east of the country, and Diwaniya, south of Baghdad.

Truro-based MJ Medical will be advising an international team of architects and construction firms on the design of the hospitals as well as looking at how they should be configured so that equipment and facilities are used effectively.

The three hospitals form a $400 million project to improve the infrastructure in Iraq, which has deteriorated after years of sanctions, war and insurgency.

Nathaniel Hobbs, MJ Medical's strategic director, said: "Contributing to a project that will offer the Iraqi people hope for their future as well as a tangible improvement in their day to day lives is a responsibility that we take extremely seriously."

The firm was awarded the contract by the Iraqi Ministry of Health. After helping the Ministry to design the overall strategic brief and goals for the project, the firm will then translate this into detailed designs.

The business will also act in an advisory capacity as the hospitals are built and kitted out.

Mr Hobbs added: "MJ Medical has a long history in helping to build hospitals in Iraq. Our successful appointment was, in part, due to the recognition that we are one of a limited number of healthcare consultancies in the world which have the ability to deliver a quality design against the ambitious programme and challenging local environment.

"This project underlines both the strength of the relationships we have with our clients in the Middle East, and the capabilities of our company.

"It takes a combination of local knowledge and operational excellence to succeed in the region, which is something that we have been doing successfully for more than 20 years."

MJ Medical operates from offices in Truro and London, with its head office based in the Duchy.

The firm was established in 1987, and employs 30 consultants.

This is the first contract the business has won in post-war Iraq, but it has won previous contracts in the Middle Eastern country dating back 20 years.

Its involvement in the scheme to build the new hospitals will be on-going until they are completed in 2011.

New business manager Bernice Williams said the company was keen to bid for more work in the region.

"The nature of our work means that we would like to be involved in the redevelopment of Iraq," she said.

"If there are other opportunities, we would be interested."

MJ Medical specialises in equipment, health planning, and procurement of equipment.

As well as projects in the UK, the firm has also developed a considerable portfolio of international contracts in countries including Jordan, Armenia, Mozambique, North Korea and Bangladesh.