Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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In the aftermath of war, it's often those least able to help themselves who suffer most.
In Iraq, hospitals have been looted of virtually everything-- including beds-- leaving doctors and nurses powerless to help those injured in the fighting.
This is the story of one physician's journey to Iraq.
"THE AMOUNT OF SUFFERING THESE PEOPLE HAVE UNDERGONE IS TOO MUCH FOR TOO LONG, AND THEY DESERVE A LOT BETTER".
Doctor Bud Alpert is back home now. But the memories of the weeks he spent in Baghdad treating victims of the war are still fresh.
As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon he helped treat burn victims. He worked with children injured by American bombs, marines wounded in fire fights.
He says sanctions hurt the Iraqi medical system, leaving it desperately short of equipment and supplies.
DR. BUD ALPERT, CPMC PLASTIC SURGEON: "THE RANGE WAS EVERYTHING FROM OXYGEN TO ZYLICAIN, TO EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICES WHICH ARE DEVICES USED TO FIX COMPLICATED FRACTURES. AND THEN, I REMEMBER THINGS LIKE ANTI-SCORPION AND ANTI-SNAKE VENOM."
Most of the hospitals in Baghdad are guarded by American troops.
"THE LOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE WOULD STILL BE TAKING PLACE WERE IT NOT FOR THE COALITION FORCES GUARDING THE HOSPITALS."
Dr. Alpert says that highlights the fact that the first requirement in rebuilding the health care system is not medical.. it's security.
DR. ALPERT: "IF YOU SAT DOWN AND WROTE A LIST OF THINGS YOU NEED, SECURITY IS GOING TO BE NUMBER ONE BECAUSE WITHOUT SECURITY YOU CAN'T GET THE ELECTRICITY BACK ON, YOU CAN'T GET THE TELEPHONES BACK ON."
He says he was impressed by the skill, ingenuity and sheer dedication of the Iraqi doctors, and says now we need to give them the supplies, training and equipment they need to help rebuild their war-torn health care system.
Dr. Alpert says there's a lot of catching up to be done.
For the past fifteen years, the physicians of Iraq have been isolated, generally not allowed to travel even for professional training.
And certain medical equipment we take for granted here in the U.S., such as lasers, have been restricted because of concerns over potential use as a weapon.
