"The victims died of burns and the search for survivors continues," said local health spokesman Haydar al-Zamili.
60 people have so far been able to be rescued, but many are feared to be trapped in the still burning hospital building.
The incident is the second similar tragedy this year.
In April, 82 people lost their lives in a fire at a covid ward in the capital, Baghdad, which started when oxygen tubes exploded at Ibn al-Khatib Hospital.
As a result of the fire, the then Minister of Health Hassan al-Tamimi resigned from his post.