Medact - WMD & Conflict - THE IRAQ HEALTH CRISIS
According to the World Health Organisation, the Iraqi Government estimates that almost 70% of critically injured patients with violence-related wounds die while in emergency and intensive care units due to a shortage of competent staff and a lack of drugs and equipment (April 2007, Geneva). Although security remains a serious issue - impeding accurate assessment of the present state of medical services and health needs, and the distribution of medical goods - there are many simple provisions that can be offered by the international community to help dramatically reduce this figure. However, four years following the 2003 invasion many initial efforts to assist the situation have not been pursued.
Full report available to download:
Download report from Medact´s Site.
See also:
Reuters AlertNet - Iraq healthcare in disarray, report says:
LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Iraq’s healthcare is in disarray with doctors and nurses fleeing abroad and child death rates soaring, according to a report on Wednesday.
Up to 75 percent of Iraq’s doctors, pharmacists and nurses have left their jobs since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. More than half of those have emigrated, the report by health organisation Medact said.
“The health system is in disarray, not only because of the underlying security, but owing to the lack of an institutional framework, huge staff shortages, intermittent electricity, unsafe water supply and frequent violations of medical neutrality,” the report, “Rehabilitation Under Fire”, said.
Iraq has only around 9,000 doctors, giving a ratio of six doctors to every 10,000 people. By comparison, the ratio in Britain is 23 to every 10,000.
“Repeated failures to recognise the special status of health services and personnel in times of conflict have created an environment in which violations of the Geneva Conventions are common,”
Read in full: Reuters AlertNet - Iraq healthcare in disarray, report says.
This conference, organised by The Iraqi Medical Association in collaboration with Medact, invited a wide range of individuals and organisations involved in the health sector of Iraq to discuss these issues in a series of talks, plenary discussion sessions and smaller discussion groups.
The conclusions from the conference included a general consensus that continuing to network by holding regular meetings and discussions between groups would ensure improved co-ordination of projects and better utilisation of resources. This co-ordinated effort should include both UK-led groups and our Iraqi counterparts, and in this way try to secure financial support for existing projects, particularly those that involve local Iraqi-led groups working in the Iraq to ensure assistance at grass roots level.
It was also agreed that Iraqi refugees displaced in Syria, Jordan, Iran and in other countries are still in urgent need of assistance. The international community should participate more in the funding, organisation and protection of basic medical care provision, and assist more in providing appropriate housing, education and employment for these people. There is no security threat in assisting Iraqis in these areas and the governments of these countries have already made repeated pleas requesting help.
An e-mail discussion group has been set up following this conference encouraging further networking and wider participation in existing ideas and projects. It was agreed that another similar meeting would be arranged soon to discuss follow-up plans and to ensure the plight of the Iraqi people and their continuing struggle to secure a functioning and reliable health system is not forgotten.
1.0 Background
This conference grew out of previous initiatives such as the front page letter signed by 92 doctors that appeared the Independent earlier in the year, which called attention to the state of Iraqi hospitals and the consequences for the health of Iraqi children. It also followed various communications with the UK Department for International Development and other politicians. It was directly the result of discussions between the Iraqi Medical Association (IMA), Medact and other organisations – particularly the International Medical Corps - concerned about health in Iraq. There was an awareness of ongoing support to the health sector in Iraq being provided - despite the security situation - by international organisations, local NGOs and individuals who were not necessarily in touch with each other.
Source: Medact Medact - WMD & Conflict - THE IRAQ HEALTH CRISIS
Indexed under: Attacks on medical and humanitarian workers, Electricity Crisis (Irak), Health, Refugees, Water, World Health Organisation
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- Mar 12, 2008: Gorilla’s Guides » Blog Archive » Health Care Woes
Just so that I can this right.
The US has screwed everything up in Iraq.
Bush is saying that we are winning.
The people in your country are suffering (just like the Palestinians), from the occupation.
I have a problem.
You are a Muslim.
The West is more interested in Christianity.
I don’t see religion. I see conflicts of religion.
You both see the same God, but you both argue.
Personal view.
Muslims are more gentler than the Christian God according to the Christian right.
I have many friend from both sides.
Who treats me as a human being is who supports their religion.
Muslims are more dear to me because of their faith than Christians.
I am still a non believer.
But your faith is something to be honoured.
Peace to you Kimmy.
On the Iraki members of the team (the majority) we are actually a mix of Muslims and Christians. Of the non-Irakis Mark and Du are both Catholics and Erdla says she has no religion.
I am happy to hear that your Muslim friends act as true friends - it was a Muslim who said that even when we are not brothers and sisters in religion we are still brothers and sisters in humanity.
I wish everyone would remember that and act accordingly!