I I r ra a q q M M i i n ni i s st t r r y y o of f H H e ea al l t t h h W W e ee ek k l l y y U U p pd d a at t e e — I r ra a q M i n ni i s st t r y o of f H e ea al l t h W e ee ek k l y U p pd d a at t e (PR-cabee02c)

I I r ra a q q M M i i n ni i s st t r r y y o of f H H e ea al l t t h h W W e ee ek k l l y y U U p pd d a at t e e M MO OH H- -O OC CP PA A H He ea al lt th h T Te ea am m C Cu ur rr re en nt t P Po ol li ic ci ie es s a an nd d I In ni it ti ia at ti iv ve es s, , V Vo ol l. . 1 15 5, , W We ed dn ne es sd da ay y, , S Se ep pt te em mb be er r 1 17 7, , 2 20 00 03 3 several Iraqi staff and contractor personnel during his tour. Additionally, Congressman Hoekstra visited al-Monsour pediatric hospital, visiting with staff, patients and family members. HIGHLIGHTS: - NEW MINISTER SETTLES INTO DUTIES - MINISTRY OF HEALTH DELIVERS EQUIPMENT TO AREA HOSPITAL - CONGRESSMAN VISITS MINISTRY OF HEALTH - EQUIPMENT REPAIR TIGER TEAM STARTS WORK Dr Abbas Settles Into Duties Dr Abbas Settles Into Duties Dr Khudair Abbas continues to transition into his new duties as the interim minister. In a very heavy schedule, he received comprehensive orientation briefings by key Ministry of Health staff to better understand the complexities of the Ministry of Health. Briefings were provided on a broad area of topics, including environmental and public health, pharmaceutical management, professional credentials, education and training, current healthcare processes, budget, nursing, and others. Additionally, Dr Abbas received an extensive briefing from Mr Haveman on the President’s supplemental budget for Iraq for 2003, and requirements for the upcoming planning meetings in Dubai. This planning meeting is a precursor to the Donor’s conference in October. While receiving this orientation, the Coalition Provisional Authority and Ministry of Health were busy providing logistics arrangements for Dr Abbas, including security, transportation and housing. Dr Abbas balanced his duties at the Ministry of Health with those of the other ministers, attending meetings of the Governing Council and meeting with a number of Iraqi and international officials as part of his busy schedule. Ministry of Health Delivers Medical Equipment to Area Hospital The Ministry of Health delivered critically-needed medical equipment items to an area hospital on Saturday. Led by Mr Haveman, the team traveled to the Ayatollah Hussein al Sadr’s hospital in Hussainiya. Donated medical equipment items included three electrocardiograph machines, a cardiac defibrillator, three blood oxygen monitors, and three non-invasive blood pressure monitors. Mr Haveman met with Dr Khalad, the director of the hospital, and his staff. The hospital serves very poor families in the immediate community. After presenting the equipment items, Dr Khalad led Mr Haveman and the team on a tour of the facility. The Ministry of Health will also deliver and install a power generator desperately needed by this hospital, since their original transformer was destroyed by looting. The generator is expected to arrive in the next three weeks. Mr Haveman delivers medical equipment to Dr Khalad. Congressman Pete Hoekstra Tours Ministry of Health The Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health hosted Congressman Pete Hoekstra, R-MI, on a tour of the Ministry of Health building and a local hospital last week. Information was presented on the current status of healthcare in Iraq, as well as future planning efforts. The Congressman met with Congressman Pete Hoekstra (left) inspects MOH reconstruction progress with Mr Jim Haveman, Sr. Advisor Equipment Repair Tiger Team Fielded A Ministry of Health-hosted Tiger Team initiated a major medical equipment repair project. This three-phase, two month effort will assess, perform diagnostics and repair as many medical equipment items as is economically feasible. The intent is to quickly reestablish as many health care procedures as possible to benefit the people of Iraq. This effort involves a central management cell, five regional management teams and 31 medical equipment repair teams. Additionally, numerous medical equipment dealers and manufacturers and dealers have volunteered more than 65 engineers and technicians to the program. They are aligned with Kimadia engineers and technicians and Ministry of Health representatives to ensure a cooperative and productive effort. For more information contact Col David Adams at adamsdv@orha.centcom.mil