I was in the ward at the El Baladi Hospital, formerly a flagship institution, as her fledgling life flickered and went out. I can still hear the screams of her mother and grandmother as they rushed from the ward and across a busy road, oblivious to all but their agony. The inexcusable and draconian nature of the embargo was reinforced for me in December 1997. Although the temperature was relatively cool, there was an epidemic of flies. Stagnant water or sewage lay in many streets due to a lack of parts for pipes which were fractured or bombed seven years ago this month.
Water is still unsafe in many areas, thus fly and water-borne diseases are endemic.
Literally standing over the table waving hands or flyswatter. Not one to be enthusiastic about chemicals in the home, even I was driven to suggest that this was desperate and fly spray was essential. Fly spray, it transpired, has been vetoed by the Sanctions Committee. Ironically, Iraq is being accused of having the capability for biological and chemical warfare. An illustration of this came two days later.