Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 01/01/08 - 14/04/08

Iraq is training doctors in the UK, says health official

The Iraqi health care system has resorted to training its doctors in the United Kingdom as it did not receive any offers from countries in the Gulf.

"We are more than ready to welcome training programmes in the Gulf, but as yet we have not received any offers closer to home," said Dr Adel Abdullah, Inspector General, Iraq's Ministry of Health.

Prior to receiving aid from the UK, health officials in Iraq previously had a training programme offered by Japan where 800 doctors and nurses completed a three-year course based in Cairo.

Speaking on Monday at the four-day Arab Health Conference, Dr Abdullah explained that the Ministry of Health participated in a new initiative launched by the UK government in 2007 that aims to re-educate and train 400 doctors in Iraq for the next two years.

"We are concentrating on a quick fix by sending them to the UK and help them to catch up what they've missed in previous years," he said, adding that immediate action is needed to meet their immediate demands.
A batch of 25 doctors has been sent to the UK for a two-month training programme and currently 50 doctors have completed their training.

Dr Abdullah commented that the initiative will unlikely be an incentive in recruiting doctors who migrated to other parts of the world, including Dubai.

"Iraqi doctors who previously migrated need the reassurance of security, payment, residence and privileges, which is a difficult task at the moment because it is a programme currently under way. It may take years for them to come back," he said.

In 2003, 8,000 doctors were reported missing after being threatened by terrorist activities, killed or kidnapped.

Dr Abdullah noted that Iraq reached its peak in the 1970s as it was the main health service provider to the Middle East, but now has a large gap between its progress and the rest of the world as a result of three wars.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health has also adopted several measures to improve their services by using single wards instead of crowded wards to reduce infections, according to Dr Abdullah. "There are limited number of beds because of the large number of trauma cases, which has been tackled by setting up home ventilators to accommodate the large number of cases we receive."

Future projects include setting up an acute spinal injury centre and to construct a comprehensive local programme targeting professionals working at the Ministry of Health in Iraq.

In 2007, there were 217 hospitals in Iraq, 1,910 primary healthcare centres, 15,500 doctors and nurses, and a total of 150,000 paramedics. In 2006, hospitals catered to 100,000 injured people, 37,000 killed, offered 600,000 consultations and conducted 330,000 major operations. While in 2007, the numbers drastically diminished as hospitals received one-fifth of the numbers.

Improvement in the healthcare sector has also had a positive impact on the mortality rate of children under five years old, which was 128 for every thousand in 1999 as compared to 41 for every thousand in 2007.

Iraq is training doctors in the UK, says health official | Iraq Updates

Iraqis mock US soldiers and themselves on You Tube
Iraqis in high stress situations, oppressive environments use dark humour to help them survive.

US soldiers are lampooned, policemen are shown as buffoons and Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is irreverently cheered by penguins... Iraqis are turning more and more to You Tube to express their dark-edged humour.

The main butt of send-ups posted by Iraqis on the popular Internet video site is, as one might expect, the US military.

With around 160,000 troopers scattered across the country there is clearly no dearth of subjects -- nor lack of innovative video makers.

One video shows a large-mouthed soldier repeating Arabic phrases told to him by a group of locals.

"Bring us back to our family, bring us home. Bring us some bread, any bread, hot or cold," he says, seemingly unaware of what he is repeating.
"The salary is not that good either," he adds as the camera zooms closely onto his face.

Another video shows a group of Iraqi soldiers speaking to a female American trooper, who clearly knows a smattering of Arabic.

They ask her name, and she replies "Sarah." They ask her questions and she replies in Arabic. She is from Alabama -- she does not like New York.
The walkie-talkie strapped near her shoulder crackles and she bends her head towards it to answer.

She speaks for a minute or two, bending her head forward each time she answers.

"Shaar (hair)," the soldiers say suggestively, enticing her to break out into a sensual Iraqi dance during which unveiled women throw their heads forward to send their hair flying upwards.

Many videos show male US soldiers dancing clumsily with their Iraqi counterparts or with people in the streets.

One hilarious minute-long segment captures an American military policeman, complete with flak jacket and weapon, spinning round and round while a group of Iraqi policemen cheer him on.

With dancing in public such an integral part of Iraqi culture, it is little wonder that the funnier side of this practice has been captured on video.
People fall, lurch into one another, and in one featuring Iraqi policemen they even drop their trousers.

Away from the dance floor, two policemen are shown in one clip stopping a truck. As the edgy pair bend down to inspect the underside of the vehicle the driver toots his horn, giving both such a fright that they fall over backwards.

But little appears sacred for Iraqis caught up in brutal sectarian violence and harsh living conditions, proof of the maxim that populations in high stress situations or oppressive environments use dark humour to help them survive.

One of the main targets in the highly religious country is Moqtada al-Sadr, the powerful Shiite cleric whose thousands-strong Mahdi Army militia is known to hero-worship him.

One video clip shows a colony of penguins, led by a large male with distinctive orange markings on his neck, swaggering around the ice chanting "Moqtada, Moqtada, Moqtada!"

The 66-second segment, its soundtrack clearly recorded at a Mahdi Army gathering engaged in rowdy praise of the cleric, shows the penguins raising their flippers heavenwards, beaks wide open as they become more and more enthusiastic about Sadr.

The video, clearly doctored electronically, ends with the penguins forming a large heart-shaped gathering around their leader who stands bellowing in the middle.

More controversial in a country divided by sectarianism are clips showing Shiites in mosques during Ashura ceremonies when devotees beat their chests -- set to Iraqi pop music.

One video shows earnest devotees raising their hands, beating their chests and chanting in anguish as a popular song called "Orange" plays on the soundtrack.

The song features a lover who pours out his tender devotion for his girlfriend and her favourite colour.

Not all Iraqis approve of their leaders being belittled in this way, and comments posted on the site beneath the videos reflect the wide divergence of opinion that characterises the country's political landscape.
"Shame on you to liken Moqtada al-Sadr to a penguin and humiliate him in front of all the world," says "Wisam" beneath the penguin clip.

"It is indeed a shame," agrees "Abdul." "He and his donkeys are far worse than penguins."

Iraqis mock US soldiers and themselves on You Tube | Iraq Updates

Solving Oil Contracts Issue will be Soon: MP

Iraqi MP from Kurdistan Alliance Bloc Bayazed Hassan expected that the talks between KRG and Baghdad about the oil contracts will reach positive results and an agreement on all the problems.

He also said that the talks between KRG Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami and the Federal Government under supervising of the American Secretary of State assistance for economic affairs Mr. Robin Jeffery is for issuing the Oil and Gas Law, which aims to distribute the oil revenues and states the Regions’ authorities in oil investment and signing contracts.

PUKmedia :: English - Solving Oil Contracts Issue will be Soon: MP

Bamarny: Reduction of Kurdistan Region Proportion in Iraqi Budget cannot be done without Census

Iraqi MP Azad Bamarny from the Kurdistan Alliance list today has exclusively told our web site that most points about 2008 budget has been agreed upon , but there are some political sides which demand the reduction of the Kurdistan region proportion from %17 to % 12,9.

He also wondered why they demand such a thing like that, and on what they are relying on in their demand while demanding such a reduction should be carried out after making a census in Kurdistan region.

Proportion of Kurdistan region has been decided upon since 2004 .it is expected that a delegation from Kurdistan region to visit Baghdad to settle this issue .2008 budgets for Iraq will be decided upon in the current week or the next week, he added.

The issue of salaries of Kurdistan Region Guard Forces (Peshmerga forces) has been resolved by the Kurdistan region president and the Iraqi PM, he emphasized without giving details.

PUKmedia :: English - Bamarny: Reduction of Kurdistan Region Proportion in Iraqi Budget cannot be done without Census

Iraqi Council of Representatives postpones voting on 2008 Budget

The Iraqi Council of Representatives today postponed voting on 2008 budget for Iraq till next Monday due to some problems including the proportion of %17 of Iraq’s budget to Kurdistan Region.

A number of Iraqi PMs demanded the ratio of %17 for Kurdistan region to be reduced. Several other notices have been raised by the Iraqi lawmakers like the allocation of 13 milliards to unnamed projects as well as notices concerning the budget of the Iraqi provinces.

Due to conflicts on the budget of Kurdistan region and a budget to the Kurdistan Region Guard Forces, we asked postponing voting on the Iraqi budget, Iraqi MP from the Kurdistan Alliance Bloc, Firyad Rawandozi exclusively told PUKmedia today.

PUKmedia :: English - Iraqi Council of Representatives postpones voting on 2008 Budget

KRG Minister of Labor and Social Affairs receives Delegation from US State of Justice

Today the KRG Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Adnan Muhammad Kadir, in attendance of Director General of Social Reform Office, met with a US State of Justice delegation.

General prison conditions in the Kurdistan region were discussed during the meeting as well as appropriate mechanisms for approving social, psychological and health conditions. Establishing a Federal Prison in Chamchamal and the situation of prisoners in Suse Federal Prison were also discussed. They emphasized that prisoners in Suse Federal Prison should be separated from those prisoners who were convicted by the KRG courts since regional and federal laws are different.

For that purpose the KRG Minster of Labor and Social Affairs emphasized improving the prisoners’ life conditions in every aspect particularly rehabilitating leisure rooms, environmental aspects and others.

He also highlighted taking into consideration psychology, environmental aspects of prisoners.

He expressed his ministry’s desire to cooperation to improve prison conditions generally and particularly the stability of its buildings.

PUKmedia :: English - KRG Minister of Labor and Social Affairs receives Delegation from US State of Justice

President Talabani receives Nouri Al-Maliki

Today the Iraqi president his Excellent, Jalal Talabani received the Iraqi PM, Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad. They both discussed the current Iraqi political situation and paving the way forward towards it.

They both stressed on the need for developing the political process and activating the Executive Council so that it will play its historical role in leading the country and making political and governmental reforms.

They also emphasized on the need for implementing the decisions which are related to the entre Iraq political process and all the other issues in the country.

Finally the Iraqi PM thanked his Excellency on the warm reception.

PUKmedia :: English - President Talabani receives Nouri Al-Maliki

1,700 jobs for Falluja residents

A total of 1,700 jobs have been allocated to residents of Falluja and its suburbs, the deputy head of the city's municipal council said on Tuesday.

"Falluja municipal council has allocated 1,700 jobs in government departments to residents of the city and its suburbs," Qasim Mashkour Noman al-Isawi told Aswat al-Iraq, Voices of Iraq, (VOI).

"Only 944 jobs will be designated for Falluja and the rest will be for the suburbs," Isawi explained.

"The names of those accepted for the jobs will be announced in the coming two days," the deputy head indicated, noting that the council has received over 5,000 appointment requests.

Isawi did not reveal the mechanism involved in drawing up the shortlists, but explained that university graduates are given priority in appointment.
Falluja has recently witnessed high unemployment levels among university graduates and those who finished their preparatory education, Isawi explained, citing 7,500 jobseekers in the city.

Falluja, the largest city in the predominantly Sunni province of Anbar, lies 45 km west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Aswat Aliraq

Higher demand for the dollar in daily auction

Demand for the dollar was higher in the Iraqi Central Bank's auction on Tuesday, reaching $129.25 million compared to $25.825 million on Sunday.

"The demand hit $16.25 million in cash and $113 million in money transfers outside the country, all covered by the bank at an exchange rate of 1,212 Iraqi dinars per dollar, one tick lower than Sunday," according to the central bank's daily bulletin which was received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).

None of 11 banks participating in the auction offered to sell dollars.

The bank canceled its Monday session in the aftermath of large fire that engulfed its downtown Baghdad building without any loss of life.
Police said that the cause of the blaze was unclear, citing material damage to the building.

Speaking to VOI, Madhhar Muhammad Saleh, a financial expert and member of the committee that supervises the auctions, said that the fire did not influence the participation of banks in the session.

Meanwhile, Ali al-Yasseri, an Iraqi trader, attributed the higher demand for the dollar to the cancellation of yesterday's session.

The Iraqi Central Bank runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday.

Aswat Aliraq

ISX index lower by 1.105%

The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index decreased by 1.105% on Tuesday compared to the previous session, closing at 34.880 points, with a notable presence of non-Iraqi investors trading.

Traded shares in Tuesday's session exceeded 577 million at a total value of 841 billion Iraqi dinars (1 U.S. dollar=1,213 Iraqi dinars) by implementing 227 contracts.

Non-Iraqi investors participated with over 151 million shares, totaling more than 173 million Iraqi dinars by implementing 14 contracts in the banking, industrial and hotels sectors.

According to the daily analysis of the capital market, the banking sector's index, in which 14 companies traded, closed at 36.185 points, 0.099% lower than the previous session, while the industrial index, in which six companies traded, ended at 11.142 points, the same as the previous session.

http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/eng...=2&NrSection=2