Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 9 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2005. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government has taken to provide medical assistance to civilians injured during the conflict in Iraq; and if he will make a statement; what resources the Government has provided to assist civilians injured during the conflict in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what steps the Government have taken to provide medical assistance to civilians injured during the conflict in Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [216847] (2) what resources the Government have provided to assist civilians injured during the conflict in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [216848] Hilary Benn: Improving health services presents major challenges and will take time. The system has suffered from neglect and decades of under-investment. The Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) have acknowledged these challenges and, with support from donors, has identified priorities for investment and development. Despite the security situation steady progress is being made: for example salaries have improved, hospital and primary care clinics rehabilitated and national immunisation programmes organised. The UN and the World Bank managed multi-donor Trusts Funds are providing support to the health sector in partnership with the MoH, focusing on emergency and primary health care services which affect the poorest and most vulnerable. DFID has contributed £70 million to the multi-donor trust funds, £5 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and technical assistance to the MoH.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c382-3W;431 c383W; 216847;216848
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Development aid Civilians Health services Injuries Iraq Medical treatments
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk