Medact supports claim of 100,000 civilian deaths in Iraq
Medact supports claim of 100,000 civilian deaths in Iraq
The Lancet October 29 study finding that there could be around 100,000 civilian deaths resulting from the war in Iraq clearly uses sound principles of public health research.
Our own forthcoming report Enduring effects of war health in Iraq 2004 will also highlight how further damage to essential infrastructure such as water, sanitation and electricity and the health system is likely to lead to long-term deterioration in the health of Iraqis.
It is important to note that the Lancet study only looks at deaths, and does not comment on injuries. Experience elsewhere suggests that at least three times as many people are injured as are killed conflict. There are therefore likely to be many thousands of war-related injuries which the Iraqi health service is ill equipped to deal with.
Medact endorses the Lancets call for major independent studies by the World Health Organisation or some other relevant body to explore these issues further.
