More than two years ago I had to tour hospitals seeking treatment for my late uncle. It wasn’t a pleasant or a happy end story. Receiving a health care was luxury that I didn’t expect it will get any better soon.
My late uncle had a surgery to remove a tumor. The ICU we had to go to was a room with a bed no more and no less. For example the oxygen he needed after the surgery we had to run bring it and install it. No medications at the hospital, No on time medications unless we go and bring someone to give him the medications he needed and a long story. He died four days after the surgery.
One year ago I had to spend also few weeks visiting hospitals in Baghdad and Al Anbar province and it wasn’t that big difference.
The last week we had to be in several hospitals for my 19 years old cousin, Mahmoud, who is still as I type in these words in the intensive care unit (ICU).
As I am printing these words Mahmoud is in a real ICU that was installed 9 months ago in a main hospital in Baghdad to become one of the few hospitals that has these units.
At the emergency room a doctor asked for Oxygen immediatly i ran to bring it but this time it was the staff who brought it. Surprise I said to my self.
Airconditioning was better in the three hospitals that we went to and many other things. Yet there are many things I wish it was better but nothing is perfect.
In Fallujah a new hospital is to be opened next year, a hospital that is expected to change people's health care level in that area. Several other hospitals are said to be built starting next year.
At last I can see something on the ground that is useful and people can say this is better than before (2003).
The first step forward that is not a step back to square one.
I am so happy for you that Iraq is finally getting the hospitals it needs and the people getting the medical care they need.
Posted by: LJM | June 10, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Sending good thoughts to your family and for Mahmoud's healing, Dulaimy. This is very good news. Especially for Fallujah, where there has been so much suffering.
Posted by: Laura | June 10, 2008 at 10:02 AM