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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| June 3, 2005 |
The Deterioration of Healthcare in Occupied Iraq – Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar |
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| Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar before her lecture |
Once of the wealthiest areas in the world, Iraq is now rated as having one of the highest mortality rates among adults and children globally side by side with areas such as Afghanistan and Sudan. From the viewpoint of a doctor who once practiced medicine with more than adequate equipment and resources, Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar, a specialist in epidemiology, spoke about the alarming state of healthcare in Iraq right now. Due to the instable condition of Iraq after the war and occupation by the US, all aspects of Iraq have deteriorated, including healthcare. Prior to 1990-91 when the first war with the US occurred, the health of the population steadily improved between 1960 and 1990. Yet since harsh economic sanctions were imposed between the first war in 1991 and the second war in 2003, there has been a decline in overall public health and a rise in deaths during pregnancy or labor to more than double the 1990 rate. The deterioration of health coincided with the increase in poverty due to sanctions in conjunction with inadequate medication, food, water and poor sanitation. Following the sanctions, water plants across the country deteriorated, resulting in a situation where less than 40% of the Iraqi population has a safe water supply. |
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| Some of the participants who were touched by Dr. Waqar’s story |
As a result of the current instability and insecurity, the deterioration of preventive health programs (immunization) is compounded by damage to most hospitals, health centers and laboratories as well as electrical plants, making it difficult to keep vaccines preserved and leading to the lack of accessibility to health services. Furthermore, medical specialists are leaving the country under these conditions. With insecurity rampant in the country, the rise of diseases such as measles, cholera, tuberculosis, respiratory infections and Hepatitis A have resulted in outbreaks caused by overcrowding, poor nourishment, unsanitary hygiene, improper sewage disposal and contaminated food. Most needed is an improvement of health services and educational programs to help people recognize warning signs of oncoming diseases and ailments. |
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| A poster announcing Dr. Waqar’s lecture |
Cardiovascular diseases have also seen an increase of morbidity by 65%. Dr. Waqar lost her brother recently when he could not be properly treated at the hospital when he had a heart attack. There was no equipment to measure his blood pressure nor would specialists come because a curfew was enforced. Regarding the increase of diseases after the war, Dr. Waqar pointed to the increase of aggressive forms of cancer in patients, including leukemia which she attributes to the use of depleted uranium in 1991 by the US military. Although most of these diseases could be prevented, unfortunately “50% to 80% are detected in their late stages as a result of a shortage of equipment and well trained healthcare professionals”. Therefore, educating patients and training more health professionals is much needed. |
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In the current health system in Iraq, there is no equitable access to basic services. With a shortage in medication at the 172 public hospitals in Iraq, healthcare quality has deteriorated due to poor leadership, lack of maintenance, shortage of medications, inadequate staff training, and uneven staff distribution in rural and urban areas. Moreover, there is an inadequate distribution of human resources with a ratio of one doctor for every 2,500 persons; infrastructure has deteriorated and health care services are further weakened by widespread looting; there is unpredictability of electricity and water supply and corruption is widespread. Most health centers were damaged or destroyed during the war and need repair or reconstruction; for example, 80% of all hospitals have no generator and 90% have no running water supply.
When asked what healthcare in Iraq needs, Dr. Waqar answered the following: “We need medicine, and an upgrade of emergency services and blood transfusions as the number of injuries has risen after the wars. As well as immunization coverage, educational programs, hospital rehabilitation, coordination with other sectors to improve safe water and sanitation, a plan for upgrading professional education (basic, postgraduate, continuing) and human services.” Above all, however, she hoped for “understanding and support for all the basic services for the Iraqi people.” |
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