Iraqi hospitals to regain first-class status quickly: US health secretary

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq will quickly regain its reputation as a medical "centre of excellence" with help from the United States, US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said while on a trip to Baghdad.

Washington has pledged 793 million dollars to help rebuild Iraq's decaying healthcare system, which suffered from decades of neglect under the former regime of Saddam Hussein and international sanctions.

After touring Saddam's former hospital -- the best in the land which is now run by the US army -- Thompson predicted it would not be long before such facilities would be available nationwide.

"That is the reason we are here," he told reporters outside the newly named 31st Combat Support Hospital, which mainly treats soldiers from the US-led coalition and Iraqi civilians hurt in the ongoing violence.

"We are here to collaborate and to assist the Ministry of Health and we think, with our expertise and with the wonderful support we have with the Iraqi professionals, we have a chance to re-establish Iraq as a centre of excellence for medical protection and medical care," Thompson said.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040227/pl_afp/iraq_us_health&cid=1521&ncid=1480

[jpak]

1. ChimpCo establishes "first class" socialized medicine for I-raqis

but does NOTHING to help low income Americans obtain health insurance.

FU Bush!

[priller]

2. $793 mil won't go very far

I'm sorry, but that's not nearly enough to create first-class hospitals nation-wide.

And then, of course, it's ridiculous that the admin thinks this sort of thing is fine and dandy for Iraq, but when it comes to the US, it's every man for himself.

[madrchsod]

3. just like they are rebuilding

the rest of the country,one dead body at a time.unless there is a profit it will be a no go with the bush klan..