Richard Garfield RN DrPH

The Crisis in Iraq

Tags: conflict crisis iraq

The impending military conflict in Iraq will significantly affect the current capacities of the Iraqi health system.  The health system in Iraq has undergone incredible stressors during the past two decades.  Health professionals can better connect with their Iraqi colleagues through understanding the specific context of the upcoming crisis.  Drawing from several sources, including first hand accounts from six Iraq visits in the last five years and consulting for several NGOs and UN organizations, this article provides a brief introduction to the Iraqi context, highlighting both the strengths and needs of the Iraqi health system.