This week's editorial (p 1249) assesses the steps taken to date to rebuild Iraq's crumbling health-care infrastructure. The two crucial appointments of James K Haveman to the post of senior advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Health and Khudair Abbas as Minister of Health are questioned; the former for lacking a background in post-conflict public health (and for being a Bush-friendly appointment), the latter for not being able to be the voice of the contemporary Iraqi medical community.
The editorial also comments on progress being made, notably the approval by the US House Appropriations Committee of $100 million for funds to refurbish and modernise hospitals and primary-care services throughout Iraq: 'We trust that the House and Senate will support this sensible redistribution of funding for health. Such a commitment to rebuilding and strengthening Iraq's health system would hopefully encourage other countries at the UN Iraq donors' conference scheduled for Madrid on Oct 23-24', the editorial comments, concluding: 'The Madrid conference is predicted to receive a tepid response, owing to the continued political battle over the future governance of Iraq.
Donors must recognise, however, that Iraq is a far from homogeneous country and if the current insecurity cleaves the population along tribal, ethnic, and religious lines, the violence will escalate. The time for rebuilding Iraq and the equitable provision of health care is long overdue. The international community must commit itself now to the security and health of all Iraq's people-before it is too late.'
The Lancet