FEATURE
After the Gulf War in 1991, Iraq’s healthcare system deteriorated significantly. While its hospital infrastructure was badly affected, perhaps the biggest impact has been the lack of experienced medical staff after so many left the country. “Inevitably, the quality and capacity of health care available is well below international standards”, says Dr Christiaan Barnard, International SOS’ Regional Medical Director for the Middle East. “And the security risks of accessing health facilities add another layer of complexity especially for foreign nationals.”
Complex challenges
While multinational companies have strict security procedures to protect employees, foreign personnel face ongoing threats from insurgency, suicide attacks, roadside bombings and kidnapping. “Moving people around the country continues to require significant logistical planning and resources”, says Olivier. Communications and IT infrastructures can be
10 Hotline Issue 1, 2011
intermittent. Sub-standard roads, frequent road traffic accidents and limited law enforcement all present extra risks. The only way to reach the most remote areas is by air, but options are very limited. Strict controls on flight plans limit the ability to reach much of the country after dark, and can have major implications in an emergency. And there are other challenges. Language barriers exist, with English not widely spoken, and most local medical staff speaks only Arabic or Kurdish. Dust storms, sandstorms and floods are also common, threatening people’s health and safety and impacting effective emergency response.
Specialist experience “Together these factors create a highly unpredictable environment in which a minor incident can turn into a major emergency”, says Olivier. “And as government agencies reduce their presence and support in Iraq, it’s more important than ever to have medical, safety and
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