Source: Medicine For Peace (MFP)
Date: 07 February 2005

Study of Baghdad Hospitals Highlights Critical Needs

Washington, DC, 07 February 2005- A Medicine For Peace (MFP) Study Team has conducted the first comprehensive assessment of Baghdad Public Hospitals since the start of the Iraq War in March 2003.

The MFP Report entitled, Civilian Health in Iraq: Assessment of Public Hospitals in Baghdad, concludes that, despite significant improvement in a number of areas, many aspects of the health care in hospitals are below an acceptable standard of care, and present an ongoing danger to both to patients and staff.

The MFP Study Team noted a number of improvements in the health system since March 2003, including a significant increase in the number of hospital staff, a 30-fold increase in the salaries of doctors and nurses, improved security at all hospitals surveyed, and instillation of auxiliary gasoline-driven electrical power generators in every hospital.

With great concern, The MFP Study Team noted that the majority of hospitals are generally unclean, unhygienic, and failed to follow "best practices" standards for infection control. Further, the hospital sanitation system is still in disrepair-- sixty percent of the toilets do not work--, most hospitals are unable to dispose of waste, including infectious materials, and a number of hospitals are unable to provide safe drinking water to patients.

Clinical laboratories and radiology services in the majority of hospitals are unable to support the clinical demand, primarily because of old and malfunctioning clinical laboratory and imaging equipment.

All hospitals suffered from sporadic or persistent shortages of essential drugs and disposable medical supplies. The MFP Study Team noted shortages in cleaning detergents, hand washing disinfectants, sterile needles, i.v. tubing, and -in hospitals with active surgical services- sterile gloves, masks, antiseptics and soap.

"The most encouraging finding is that after two wars, crippling UN sanctions and a violent insurrection, the hospitals are still operational," said Dr. Michael Viola, who directed the MFP study. "Nevertheless, a critical situation exists in many hospitals that demands immediate targeted interventions."

The complete MFP Report and recommendations proposed to the Iraq Ministry of Health and other responsible agencies can be obtained at the MFP website, www.medpeace.org.

For further information, please contact:
Michael Viola, M.D., MFP Washington, D.C.,medforpeace@aol.com, (cell) (202) 441 4545.

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