Amman (Fides Service) - "We are very concerned. Unless we are able to enter Baghdad in the next few days with medical personnel, medicines, other medical supplies there is a risk that hundreds may die of epidemic diseases" warns Doctor Fadela Chaib of the World Health Organisation office in Amman, Jordan, in a conversation with Fides. WHO is keeping a close watch on the precarious health situation in Iraq and co-ordinating emergency aid.
The present total absence of security makes it impossible for hospitals to provide adequate assistance to the many casualties which continue to arrive. Dr Chaib says hundreds of injured persons need basic medical care or they may die. Looters and sackers have even turned their anger on hospitals. The capital's City Hospital is running out of its meagre water supplies; Al Kindi hospital has been reduced to an empty shell by sackers. Unless order is restored the medical-sanitary situation threatens to get out of hand. The situation is deteriorating rapidly.
In many cases WHO personnel is Baghdad, about 300 medics and nurses, are unable even to get to the hospitals. "In the meantime here in Amman we are ready to deliver all the necessary material as soon as the coalition forces give us the signal" says Dr Chaib.
The situation is serious both in Baghdad and in other large cities, such as Bassora, especially because water and electricity supplies have yet to be reconnected. "The infant mortality rate is rising swiftly. In northern Iraq things are quieter, at least medical personnel are able to work. "We ask the coalition forces to focus on the real needs of the civilians. WHO and other UN aid organisations are ready to enter but are still waiting for permission from the US and UK forces. If we want to prevent a humanitarian tragedy, aid and health assistance must be resumed immediately." PA (Fides Service 11/4/2003 EM lines 22 Words: 331)