Operation
Blessing’s fourth volunteer medical team to Iraq was busy during the
last two weeks of July. They worked in over five different locations, providing
more than 800 medical services to Iraqi men, women and children. Four days
were spent in remote desert areas inhabited by Marsh Arabs. According to
a village chief, this people group had never received help or been visited
by anyone from another country! Here’s the latest in our Iraq relief
efforts…
After traveling almost two hours one way and ten minutes on a narrow dirt
road from Basra, our team of doctors and nurses was surprised to see the
small quiet community of Al Ez sitting in the middle of the dessert and
marshes.
Desperate To Be Touched
It was 104F and there wasn’t any air conditioning, electricity or
running water where the team worked. Afraid they wouldn’t see a
doctor, multiple patients pushed their way into the room when someone
exited. Each patient had to be discreetly seen in front of the others.
This was difficult since women were not allowed to show their skin in
public. When Dr. Kim, OBI Philippines, took a woman’s blood pressure,
or needed to see or touch those complaining of pain, her translator would
turn his back. When examining a pregnant woman, the other women would
surround the two with their abaya (black coat) while Dr. Kim worked on
the patient.
While this was going on, children were in the window the entire time shouting,
“Mister, mister, water, okay, okay!” They got louder if you
didn’t pay attention to them. Despite the unusual circumstances,
the dedicated volunteers saw many children suffering from diarrhea as
well as adults with body aches. Dr. Kim found out that the village drank
out of the same bucket and cup. They also retrieved their drinking water
from the same source as the animals bathed in and clothes were washed
in.
The Other Sites
Throughout the medical mission, children and adults were receiving medical,
dental and surgical care in Basra, Al Qurna as well as Al Ez and Medinah.
Every day two dentists worked in the Al Qurna Hospital. Not having a dentist
in the area, many waited to see our dentists. Dental patients were given
mouthwash and toothpaste to take home. The Iraqi physicians even came
to see the dentists. Also during the first week, our dermatologist saw
more than 100 patients suffering with autoimmune illnesses and other rare
problems every day. This is the first time they were ever treated by a
dermatologist!
In Basra, a team plastic surgeon saw patients in the outpatient clinic
and also performed several surgeries. The pediatric neurologist was the
first sub specialist who visited the hospital. He was asked to help in
the oral exams of the medical students and lecture.
Helping After Hours
When the team returned to the hotel in Basra every night, there was always
someone requesting to see a doctor. Graciously the volunteers would see
them in the hotel lobby or their own rooms. On Friday, a day when everything
is closed in Iraq, the team drove two hours to Nasariyah. They ran across
Bosaira, a village that looks like an oasis with a palm tree and beautiful
pools of water surrounding it. However, the people live a very simple
life in small clay houses and their children don’t wear shoes. The
team asked if they could share their lunch with the people. In a matter
of minutes a few sick children were soon being seen.
You Can Help
Many Marsh Arabs living in pockets of desert sand have still never seen
a doctor or dentist. Please help us reach out to these and other forgotten
people groups of the world. Your gift of $40 or more can change their
life forever!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.
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