The sanctions have also prevented shipments of medicines, medical supplies, medical equipment, disinfectants, cleaning supplies and bed linens from entering the country's hospitals and pharmacies. Common diseases, once treated with medication, now take thousands of lives since the medicine is not available. The middle-aged and elderly are dying without cancer painkillers, insulin for diabetes, or such machinery as respirators and dialysis machines. Additionally, the 350 tons of depleted uranium dropped on Iraq during the Gulf War has brought an increase of over 50 percent in cancer cases since the war. However, among the children of Iraq, diarrhea and dysentery are by far the biggest killers.
Reports say that before the sanctions, Iraq had an excellent health care system.
Now, with no supply shipments of medical equipment, Iraq's hospitals look much like those of a Third World country. The film at the teach-in showed hospital cots of children, their bellies bulging from starvation and their bones clearly outlined under their skin. Beside them stood doctors, unequipped to do anything but listen and try to comfort the distressed mothers nearby. Vanderkooy challenges students, faculty and staff to educate themselves and understand what they are for or against. As a result of this teach-in, a campaign headed by the Progressives is under way to continue to educate the Calvin and Grand Rapids communities about the reality of the economic sanctions on Iraq.