Halabja Post-Graduate Medical Institute (HMI) Initiates Medical Treatment and
Humanitarian Relief Programs for WMD Survivors in Iraqi Kurdistan
July 24, 2000
From July 15-21, 2000, the Washington Kurdish Institute and Dr. Christine Gosden (University
of Liverpool) convened a seminar in Marly Le Roi, France, to initiate medical treatment and
humanitarian relief programs for survivors of chemical, and possibly biological and radiological
weapons attacks throughout Iraqi Kurdistan.
The conference, funded by the US Department of State, also received support from the Swedish
Defence Research Establishment, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, the Kurdish
Institute of Paris and several international NGOs who provided financial assistance for participants.
Halabja’s mayor, the Health Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Governments, representatives of
international humanitarian NGOs, doctors from the region, including Deans of medical colleges in
Suleymania, Erbil and Dohuk, and other experts participated. A public seminar, chaired by Dr. Gosden,
was convened at the Sorbonne for participants to outline HMI activities, objectives and future plans.
The Mayor of Halabja invited French leaders to visit his town, and regional Health Ministers expressed
full support for HMI programs.
HMI researchers identified 250 villages and towns, and 31 other uninhabited strategic areas bombarded
by chemical weapons throughout Iraqi Kurdistan during 1987 and 1988. Participants considered carefully
initial outcomes of a medical survey (1% of total population and 10% of Halabja) and clinical studies
completed by HMI personnel. High incidences of cancers, cardiopulmonary disease, congenital anomalies
and other major medical disorders were seen as likely factors contributing to at least a 14% loss of children
under the age of 16 since 1987. Furthermore, widespread population displacement, damaged housing and
poor sanitation and water supplies were also viewed as having adverse effects on the overall health status
of the population, especially those living in Halabja. |
Various programs were agreed upon for immediate implementation in conjunction with regional Ministries
of Health and other local authorities, including:
· Prioritized treatment programs for Halabja, including employment of four local medical specialists and
provision of funds for surgeries.
· Providing equipment and supplies to furnish operating theatres and install an internal telephone system in
a Halabja hospital.
· Financing the completion of a pipeline to provide clean water for Halabja residents.
· Providing two ambulances for Halabja residents requiring specialist medical care outside the town.
· Renovating living quarters for medical personnel working in Halabja.
· Implementing aregion-wide reproductive health program assisted by the Ministries of Health in which
HMI personnel will develop educational and monitoring programs.
· Establishing steering groups of Kurdish and international medical experts to develop and organize training
and other direct medical assistance for survivors of WMD attacks worldwide.
· Establishing an HMI website to raise awareness of ongoing programs and facilitate international support.
Participants emphasized the urgent need to take further measures to build upon initial steps, given the
enormous scale of health problems facing up to 250,000 people throughout Iraqi Kurdistan directly
exposed to chemical, and in all likelihood, biological and radiological weapons. They issued an urgent
appeal to the international community to support continued development of medical treatment, research
and humanitarian programs throughout the region.