Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Guest: Frederick Burkle, Jr., MD, MPH

Dr. Frederick Burkle addresses our evaluation of what level of healthcare we would find in Iraq when we invaded in 2003, based on the previous 8-year war with Iran ('80-'88), the Gulf War of '91, and 12 years of sanctions (91-'03 ). The continuing war, the looting of all hospitals and clinics, the inefficiency of the CPA (Coalition for Provisional Authority) and now the Iraqi governmental woes have caused a huge vacuum for care. Civilians are indeed lucky if they get to AFTH (Air Force Hospital in Balad) where they can receive the best trauma care in the world, but then where do they go?