IRAQ: Doctors walk out over abuse

On July 18, around 30 doctors walked out of Yarmouk Hospital, which takes many of Baghdad's worst cases, to protest Iraqi soldiers' behaviour during a raid. More than 100 patients were left without doctors. The problem occurred on July 17, when members of the Iraqi security forces set up by the US came into the hospital, searching patients in their beds. "We know the citizens may be a little upset but we have our rights too and we can't operate and provide a service to people if we feel under threat", Asaad Hindi, one of the striking doctors, told Rueters. "One doctor was humiliated. Other doctors hid in a room. The last time this happened we complained to officials at the defense and interior ministries."

From Green Left Weekly, July 27, 2005.

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From GLW issue 635