Mental illness in Iraq

Urmee Khan looks at recent exchanges on Iraq in Parliament

Labour MP Llew Smith has tabled written questions asking the Government the following: (1) what assessment has made of levels of mental illness in Iraq (a) before and (b) since March 2003; and what assistance his Department is providing for mental health services in Iraq; (2) what assessment has been made of the numbers of livestock owned by Fallujah residents that were killed in recent military action in Fallujah; and what steps are being taken to assist residents of Fallujah who have lost their livelihood as a result of military action.

Gareth Thomas answers as follows: In its 'Health in Iraq' report of September 2004, the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) states that accurate data on mental disorders are scarce. However, the MoH notes that clinical impressions suggest a substantial problem, especially in relation to post-traumatic stress. It also notes the lack of mental health services and that new approaches to community mental health are needed. A national workshop, conducted by the MoH in June 2004, discussed priorities for mental health promotion and strengthening of services.

Improving all types of health services in Iraq will take time. However, steady progress is being made. The MoH has produced Planning Guidelines for 2005, with support from donors. The UN and World Bank managed multi-donor trusts funds, to which DFID has contributed £70 million, provide support to the health sector. DFID has also provided technical assistance to the MoH, directly and through the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Regarding the situation in Fallujah, Gareth Thomas answered as follows: Information about numbers of livestock killed in Fallujah is not available.

Since the end of hostilities in Fallujah, DFID has been providing
technical advice to the Iraqi Government's Fallujah Core Coordination Group (CCG) which has led on humanitarian and reconstruction work in Fallujah. The CCG is working closely with military forces and local leaders to ensure that compensation payments are made and essential services restored to enable normal life and economic activity to resume. Financial resources for reconstruction are being made available from the Iraqi budget and United States' sources.

This exchange appears in Hansard for 10 Febuary 2005