Struggling to rebuild Iraqs health-care system.

Before UN sanctions were implemented in 1990 Iraq had one of the most sophisticated and efficient health systems in the Middle East with a national budget of US$450 million. By 2002 spending had fallen to $22 million due to both the sanctions and the previous regime’s slashing of the health-care budget. In 1998 according to WHO figures there were 55 doctors per 100000 people—far fewer than in neighbouring countries such as Iran Turkey and Syria which have 85 121 and 141 doctors per 100 000 respectively. Many of the older doctors and consultants were trained in the UK but isolated from the international medical community many have been unable to update their expertise and rely on outdated practices and equipment. “The most important need now is updating of medical practice not more doctors” says Rubeyi. (excerpt)