From Past To The Future

In 1970s, Iraq had developed free health care system. This system was hospital based and capital concentrated model. Iraq created a westernized structure of sophisticated hospitals with superior medical procedures. But a lot has changed in due course of time.

The people in Iraq have suffered a lot during these days because of health related issues. During last 10 years, government of Saddam Hussein had cut public health fund drastically. Because of this, the health care facilities had deteriorated. In 1990s water-borne disease and malnutrition became common health related issues, especially in the southern region. In 2005, the cases of malaria, cholera, tuberculosis and typhoid were highest in Iraq over other comparable countries. The main reason for that were the conflicts of year 2003. During this period, more than 12 percent of hospitals in Iraq were destroyed along with that two public health laboratories were also destroyed. Improvements started happening after 2004 when Iraq got some considerable international funds. Using these funds, more than 240 hospitals and 1200 primary health care centers were operating and thus aggravating the shortage of some medical materials. The vaccinations for the children were prevalent but still the hygienic conditions were not up to the mark. Medication and trained taskforce were in shortage.

In late 1990s, diagnosis and treatment of the diabetes and cancer patients reduced considerably, so the complications and deaths resulting from those diseases increased drastically in early 2000s. In 2006 though, 73% of cases of AIDS/HIV had been affected by blood transfusion and around 16% through sexual transmission.

The main source of disease was adulterated water. Sewage system was also responsible for the same. After the war, around 70% of the country's sewage system urgently needed repair. But, lack of material and investments dedicated to reconstruction was a critical problem for sewage to work well. Another reason was the terrible security for the workers who were constantly attacked by militants and insurgents. And above all, about 80% of the Iraqi population was not having the supply of the clean water including hospitals, clinics and maternity hospital.

After the war in 2003 though, some organizations like UNICEF came to the rescue of the people of Iraq. UNICEF tried hard to reduce pneumonia and malnutrition among the children but failed to do so. Because of violence, newly born children who were vulnerable to measles could not reach hospitals on time. Insecurity and poverty were the main causes. Monthly food rations could not reach to people as thousands of people were homeless and still wandering. According to UNICEF, 1 in 10 children under the age of 5 is still underweight and 1 in 5 is short for their heights and age. WHO started a new fight against measles to target those children under age of 5 and who were not vaccinated. But, violence in a number of regions of Iraq made it very difficult for them.

But even after all this disheartening scenarios, WHO and UNICEF have not lost hope and have continued their revolution.