Who will care for Iraq's wounded warriors? Health policy and national security.

INTRODUCTION

Since 2003, Iraq has struggled to build a single national health system administered by the Iraqi Ministry of Health, but politics, lack of leadership, and a cultural bias against treating soldiers in civilian hospitals have hindered access to care for members of Iraq's armed forces who are wounded in combat.

METHODS

U.S. surgeons are providing trauma care for Iraqi soldiers in American field hospitals, with more than 80% of hospital bed days occupied by Iraqis. At the same time, Iraqi hospitals have been treating the many civilian casualties of violence, and the Ministry of Health has greatly improved its emergency response and management capabilities over the past year.

RESULTS

Ministry of Health hospitals have adequate surgical capabilities and bed capacity to care for both civilian and security forces casualties. Faltering attempts to develop a national health policy that provides comprehensive care for Iraqi Security Forces will jeopardize Iraq's ability to assume responsibilities for the country's national defense, and could delay the withdrawal of Coalition military forces from Iraq.

CONCLUSIONS

It is imperative that leadership of the new government of Iraq and the international surgical community strongly endorse the implementation of a single health care system for all Iraqis.