Update on our Work in Iraq

The war in Iraq has resulted in many deaths and injuries; and the suffering continues to this day.  Hospitals lack the medical supplies and equipment to help the needy. Global Operations & Development/Giving Children Hope has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian aid to Iraq, but there is still so much yet to be done.

We are very grateful to Dr. Kaye Wilkins and Dr. James Roach for their willingness to take a journey to Iraq.  On December 11, 2005, Dr. Kaye Wilkins and Dr. Jim Roach, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, began two days of travel from the United States through London and Kuwait City, eventually arriving sixty miles south in the Iraqi city of Basrah.  Because of its location, just above the Gulf of Arabia and just below the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Basrah has historically been an important center for Islam, commerce, and education.  Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Roach came at the invitation of Professor Thamer Hamdan M.D., Chairman of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Global Operations and Development / Giving Children Hope – Basrah and Dean of the Basrah School of Medicine.

During their visit the Iraqi people held a historic vote for their new parliament.  This experience with democracy is unprecedented in Iraqi history; seventy percent of the eligible populace participated.  Everyone seemed to participate with enthusiasm and proudly displayed their ink- stained fingers.

After Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Roach reached Basrah they were treated as esteemed guests before beginning their work of evaluating 100 patients in the Orthopedic Clinic.

The children had extremely interesting and challenging conditions that varied from probable malignancies to complex congenital anomalies, such as this child with Maffucci’s syndrome. 

Both Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Roach were very impressed by the knowledge displayed by the orthopedic residents.  The residents vied for the chance to answer questions, and they demonstrated superb understanding of the patients’ diagnoses and path physiologies.  For the next three days the American doctors examined patients and lectured.  At night their Arabic hosts honored them by preparing for their enjoyment the finest Arabic cuisine.

Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Roach left Iraq having made several key observations.  They felt that the people in the south are courageously committed to controlling their future.  Security during the vote was provided solely by the Iraqi Army and police without any visible sign of the British Coalition Force.  At every checkpoint encounter the Iraqi forces seemed professional and capable. 
Non-terrorist criminal activity, such as kidnappings for ransom, continues to be a concern; but the Army’s ability to confront terrorists, at least in the Basrah area, is improving daily, as is the local police’s ability to fight common crime.  Medical care is hampered from a lack of technology, but not from any lack of knowledge on the part of medical community.  Orthopedic societies in other parts of the world can support the reconstruction of Iraq medicine by hosting visiting Iraqi surgeons and, as the area becomes secure, being willing to go to Iraq to teach. 

The doctors were very moved by the kindness and appreciation shown to them by the Iraqi people and look forward to returning to Basrah next year for more scientific and cultural exchanges.

A representative of Global Operations and Development / Giving Children Hope, traveled to Basrah, Iraq to meet with Dr. Thamer Hamdan, Dean of the Basrah Medical College and his family in April of 2004 and in September of 2005. A representative was able to spend time with several Iraqi families. She also had the privilege of meeting Elham, an Iraqi woman who became A representative ’s friend. Elham understood A representative ’s concerns regarding culturally appropriate apparel. Elham was very helpful and eased A representative ’s worries about cultural differences and customs.

Basrah Medical University
Dr. Hamdan introduced A representative to the faculty of the first year dental school, the President of the University and the Governor of the Southern Province, while presenting her with a medallion of the Basrah governate for her humanitarian efforts in Iraq. 

A representative was able to examine research that had been conducted concerning mental health. Plans were made with the newly formed nongovernmental organization (NGO) Global Operations and Development / Giving Children Hope – Basrah to facilitate Continuing Medical Education and the delivery of essential medical aid.

A representative visited the hospitals and saw the victims of cancer - small children who were dying without appropriate medications, families that were grieving because another surgery had to be canceled - she felt compelled to tell the story of a lost generation where hope is only a flicker. She met with doctors who have been in a vacuum for the last 12 years and are longing to further their medical education. They are not angry with America, but grateful for the freedom they could exercise when voting. We hope that you will contact A representative at Global Operations & Development/Giving Children Hope(GO&D/GCH) and let her know that you care about Basrah too. We at GO&D/GCH would love to be able to share with you the ongoing story of A representative ’s friends in Iraq and all that will be accomplished through the delivery of humanitarian aid and continuing medical education.

We are grateful for the partnerships that have been established with Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA), University of Southern California Medical Center, Orthopedic Specialties Institute, St. Joseph Medical Library (Orange, CA) University California, Irvine (Department of Chemistry) and University of Washington Medical Center, (Seattle), as we continue to reach out to the people of Iraq.  We sincerely appreciate the mutual cooperation that has been established in the medical and research community both in the United States and in Iraq.  We look forward to building bridges of trust for all future endeavors and giving hope in the days ahead. As we share knowledge, understanding and friendship, our hearts and minds are joined with a glimpse of a brighter tomorrow.  Thank you for your participation.