David Wilson on his study on the collapse of the Iraq's health care services and after demonstrating the degree of damage caused as a rdirect result of invation concludes that it is time for the occupation to end and for those responsible for the invasion and all that has taken place in Iraq as a direct result of military action and civil negligence to be brought to account.
In the report, which is prepared for the London-based Stop the War Coalition, it quotes from the latest Lancet report as,"Iraq is an unequivocal humanitarian emergency. Civilians are being harmed by our presence in Iraq, not helped. We need a new set of principles to govern our diplomacy and military strategy--principles that are based on the idea of human security and not national security, health and wellbeing and not economic self-interest and territorial ambition."
Where Have All the Doctors Gone?
The Collapse of Iraq's Health Care Services
By DAVID WILSON
The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) contains specific provisions pertaining to the delivery of healthcare services in occupied territories. Article 55 states: To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territories are inadequate.
Article 56 states: To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining, with the cooperation of national and local authorities, the medical and hospital establishment and services, public health and hygiene in the occupied territory with particular reference to the adoption and application of the prophylactic and preventive measures necessary to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics. Medical personnel of all categories shall be allowed to carry out their duties.
As occupying powers, the 'Coalition' forces in Iraq are in breach of Articles 55 and 56 of the Geneva Conventions. There has been an abject failure to carry out even minimal humanitarian duties. Indeed the healthcare system in Iraq has massively deteriorated since the start of the war. From a public health point of view, an end to occupation is vital for the life-chances and good health of the population of this country. Until this takes place Iraq will remain a place of 'social breakdown', a country of the dead, the dying and the despairing. ...
>>> continue @ Counterpunch
