OPERATION IRAQI HEALING

 

Background of the project:

Subsequent to Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, which culminated in the liberation of twenty five million Iraqis from the brutal, corrupt dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has struggled in its attempts to organize an independent government, which could legislate effectively and provide for the basic needs for all its citizens.

Post-conflict rehabilitation has been further complicated by the injurious effects of decades of war, hateful sectarianism, rampant corruption, and an insurgency that has devastated the infrastructure, both human and physical. Few examples of this are more glaring than the collapse of public healthcare.

 

Throughout this system, there are vast needs for high and low tech medical equipment, basic hospital supplies, and an ever more critical shortage of prescriptive drugs, especially antibiotics. Severus Worldwide will help address these needs using a direct/local approach.

Project scope and approach:

 

The participation of Iraqi physicians and health professionals are integral to the program's success and is therefore required from the outset. Iraqis must take ownership, a state of mind that goes far beyond simple physical custody of whatever is supplied them. Far too often in the past 4 years large, expensive reconstruction projects have been undertaken, and for various reasons have failed, or been abandoned. Even projects which have seen successful completions have frequently fallen into disrepair, or worse been destroyed, and often the lack of Iraqi participation has been cited as an underlying cause. We will diligently strive to avoid repeating these errors. Mistakes such as these work against our ability to win the trust and confidence of the populace.

Assumptions based on expert evaluation both American and Iraqi:

 

According to General Barry McCaffrey "The Iraqi Government is unable to meet the basic needs of its people, and health care is primitive." This is the central thesis and organizing principle of Operation Iraqi Healing. His conclusions are supported by independent sources in IRAQ including the International Red Cross, as well as the World Health Organization and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society.

 

Correspondence with local Iraqi doctors and distinguished physician confirm, with urgency, General McCaffreys findings.

 

Strategy:

 

The focal presence on the ground will be provided by the Civil Affairs Officers from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, which will assist in locating medical facilities in need while utilizing networks for obtaining medical supplies and equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Working in conjunction with these efforts “Operation Iraqi Healing” will provide the funds to fulfill these critical needs.

 

Additionally in the United States Severus Worldwide will embark on an all-encompassing strategy to provide awareness and education of the vital health care needs in Iraq. Providing a human face to the insurmountable struggles Iraqi people deal with everyday with anticipation, will inspire others to join hands with our operation to provide the humanitarian relief needed.

 

Current Project

 

The Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital in al Qadisya/al Diwaniya needs are many and it is going to take $225,000 to revitalize. This clinic caters the Al Qadisiyah Governate, which has a population of over 866,700 people. Children are the future as we are well aware but with the under five mortality rate estimated at 41 per 1000 live births they are not going to stand a chance without proper medical care.

One day Iraq will have a bright future but only with the help from her brothers and sisters from all around the world. So I ask today, are you willing to make an investment to be an integral part of Operation Iraqi Healing?

“Unity is power”/الاتحاد قوة