Today we are visiting the Saddam pediatric hospital. It is Friday, a rest day, but the hospital is busy as always.

This hospital used to be specialized in pediatric medicine, with only few facilities for surgery. Now there is only one wing reserved for medical cases while the rest of the hospital is prepared to treat the injured.

Before, there were 160 patients but only 20 to 30 are left. The parents preferred to bring their children home, whatever their condition, instead of leaving them in the center of Baghdad.

About 20 patients with leukemia, who need chemotherapy, are now at home with a few pills. They’ll surely die. Also other children who leave the hospital will die without medical care. The US and their cohorts surely don’t care about that.

The staff is very busy and very efficient. The whole emergency ward is prepared. One big ward on the ground floor is emptied to accommodate the wounded.

Doctor Hamed, who is in charge of the residency program, shows us round in a hurry. He doesn’t have a minute to lose and answers the questions of patients and nurses while we tour the hospital. The pace is hectic.

Sick children are accommodated in a small clinic at the ground floor. The consultations are held collectively and fast. Patients get their prescriptions and fall in line for the pharmacy. To ensure some emergency supply?

At night, the emergency ward is at the second floor. Last night the doctors had to attend to some 80 patients. Most of them suffered from gastro-enteric cases and parasites. Imagine, the US wants to bomb the water treatment system. That will be lethal for malnourished children who have no reserves at all. My eyes fill with tears. I admire the young doctor who is organizing everything to be prepared for the worst.

Also the neonatal ward is functioning but there is no time for a visit. I hope the incubators are in better condition than two years ago. At that time there was already lack of oxygen, spare parts for the incubators, etc....

The hospital anticipates the injured

There are two operating theaters on the fourth floor. They are off-limits. The staff is stand-by and prepares everything for in case…. There are 25 beds for the injured.

The recovery room has four beds. It is also closed to keep everything clean. The other floors can be prepared in no time for emergencies. A horrible thought…

The stock of basic medication is inadequate. There are some reserves to answer the current demands but what will happen when they run out?

The staff has been reinforced, especially at night: 14 additional doctors and 75 nurses, according to the needs.

I admire these health professionals with their persistence, competency, discipline and modesty. And they are so efficient. It looks like routine; just another disaster.

Human Shields

Also the people from all over the world who came here as Human Shields (HS as they say here) are stand firm. They see the American helicopters hover above the targets they are protecting. Some say that one day the helicopters will come and get them so they can bomb ‘legally’…

We explain them that the Iraqis have chosen those installations that are vital for public health: water treatment facilities, power plants, refineries, food silos,…. Those that are needed to ensure the survival of the people.

The HS-people are a tight team. There’s a lot of information going around the world because of them.

Thanks to everybody…

We tell everybody about the protests against American aggression in Belgium and other countries. That is important for the morale of anybody here. Thanks.

I know that the workers of Caterpillar have filed a motion to strike. People are really impressed here that the workers of a big American company are taking such a principled and radical stand against the war.

I am outraged about the attitude of the Belgian government. They have allowed American bombers to use their airspace. With the Greens in the government! Don’t they see what’s happening here? Listen to their words but don’t look at their deeds!