Iraq, a country already grappling with political, economic, and security challenges, is now in the grip of an escalating climate crisis. The effects are clear in southern Iraq, where climate-driven migration by its rural population is driving people into its urban areas and overwhelming its health centers, hospitals, and, notably, its medical and support staff.
Hospitals, which used to see 1,000 patients a day, are now seeing 4,000-10,000 a day—overwhelming staff forced to deal with the surging patient population on resources that have not kept pace. Staff are demoralized. Doctors are leaving in droves, leaving even fewer to cope with the increased numbers. "More patients, more problems," said a weary doctor. "And without the resources, more bad outcomes."
Through text and photographs, A Day in The Life: Crisis Hits Hospitals in Iraq will portray the impact in a direct, intimate way, following hospital staffs, from surgeons to cleaners.
