Ministry of Health

***SAPPHIRE AHMED

A group of the delegates, including myself, Gloria La Riva, Sharon Eolis, Mr. Monsieur, and others met with Dr. Mohammed Al Sheriff, Director General at the MOH and the State Company for Marketing Drugs and Medical Appliances.

Dr. Mohammed Al Sharif explained that:
*all medicines are tested because of suspicion and because there are reports of impotent or inactive antibiotics coming into Iraq
* the needs are general and he provided a list of medications and supplies that are needed
* medication and supply orders are delayed and deliveries are irregular
* the population, especially the high school and college students, are suffering from the psychological consequence of being isolated from the world.  Also, the entire community is suffering from the psychological affects of being placed in a position to need hand-outs and charity, even from the Palestinians, when in fact they are able to support themselves if allowed by the UN.

The population feels that it is unfairly targeted by the world because other countries like Israel and even the USA invaded and still occupies lands (for example, the Palestine and Guantamano Bay in Cuba) yet they are not sanctioned by the UN.  Being on the negative side of a double standard policy has negative psycho-social affects on a population.

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