News sources reported this week that the cholera outbreak in Iraq resulted in the deaths of five more people. Since the US invasion in 2003, cholera has become widespread; at least 5,000 Iraqis living in the north were reported to have contracted the disease last August. IRIN reports that “limited electricity, a shortage of safe drinking water and rundown sanitation and sewage systems” have all resulted in the increase of disease. In July of 2007, Oxfam reported that at least 70% of Iraqis do not have access to safe drinking water.
Not too long ago however, such water shortages were unheard of in Iraq. In the 1980s, it was estimated that 95% of urban residents and 75% of rural residents had access to clean drinking water. Sanitation services were also fully functional. Similarly, Iraq’s healthcare system was also in better shape in the 1970s and 80s. Iraq was known to have an extensive, fully-subsidized, centralized healthcare system. A report conducted by UNICEF and the WHO found that prior to 1990, 97 percent of urban residents and 71 percent of the rural population had access to free primary health care. Highly specialized care was also available. Public health campaigns were implemented across the country in order to reduce infant mortality. As a result, infant mortality rates fell from 80 per 1,000 live births in 1974, to 60 in 1982 and 40 in 1989.
The first Gulf War and the enforcement of sanctions dramatically changed the performance of the health system. Traces of depleted uranium used in 1991 had lasting health effects: in 1989 there were 11 birth defects per 100,000 births, but by 2001 birth defects had increased to 116 per 100,000 births. A UNICEF report showed that mortality rates among children had doubled under sanctions. Upon his visit to Iraq in 1997, then WHO Director-General Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima stated that “The consequences of this situation are causing a near breakdown of the health care system, which is reeling under the pressure of being deprived of medicine, other basic supplies and spare parts….its inability to cope with, and provide services which the Iraqi people used to receive is of grave concern.” In its 1996 report, the WHO declared that as a result of the sanctions, the health system had been set back by about 50 years.
The situation has only worsened with the 2003 US invasion. Many physicians fled the country, while others were kidnapped and killed. The Iraqi Ministry of Health has tried to lure doctors back to Iraq but has for the most part been unsuccessful. In 2007, Oxfam reported that the Iraqi healthcare system is on “the brink of collapse”. Medicines continue to be in short supply, and there is shortage in medical equipment. Mental health services are scarce, as many clinics have either shut down or are simply unable to keep up with demand due to the lack of available specialists.
In the meantime, infant and maternal mortality rates have continued to rise, with maternal mortality up by nearly 65% since 1989 (the Infant Morality Rate is currently at about 125 deaths per 100,000). The question is once the healthcare system collapses (if it has not already) how will Iraqis begin to pick up the pieces?
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Posted by Dina 
Posted by Dina 
Posted by Dina 
