TFIZ01: NEXT STEPS FOR UAE FIELD HOSPITAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001938 SIPDIS STATE FOR IRAQ TASK FORCE, ALSO NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, PRM/ANE, AND IO/UNP KUWAIT FOR HOC, ORHA E.O. 12958: DECL 04/22/08 TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV PHUM IZ TC SUBJECT: TFIZ01: NEXT STEPS FOR UAE FIELD HOSPITAL DEPLOYMENT REFS: ABU DHABI 1931 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (C) Summary: The UAEG has decided to support an existing medical facility in Baghdad - the Olympic Hospital -- instead of deploying a stand-alone field hospital. A UAE delegation, accompanied by USLO representative, traveled to Baghdad on 4/21 to assess the health needs of the city and selected the hospital that UAE medical staff will renovate, equip, supply, and operate. The delegation plans to open the hospital for outpatient care within the next 48 hours, and for longer-term inpatient and surgical care within one to two weeks. The UAEG has put the highest priority on the provision of this assistance to the Iraqi people and -- despite allegations that there's no shortage of medical supplies in Baghdad -- the UAE medical team perceived that the Baghdad health sector is not functioning (the delegation was besieged by locals in the streets requiring urgent medical care). We expect that the Emiratis will leave behind all equipment and medical supplies once the Iraqi health system is back up-and-running. Post very much appreciates the support we have received from CENTCOM in making this important initiative happen. End summary. ¶2. (C) Acting upon instructions from the Office of UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Shaykh Muhammed bin Zayid Al-Nahyan, a delegation of UAE military personnel (accompanied by USLO representative) traveled to Baghdad 4/21 to conduct a site assessment survey for the UAEG's proposed field hospital (reftel). Based on their observations and discussions with Iraqis with whom they met, the delegates (which included a number of UAE military doctors) decided that Iraq would benefit more in the long-run if UAE medical personnel refurbished and temporarily occupied an existing Iraqi hospital. ¶3. (C) The UAE delegation selected the Olympic Hospital, based on its central location in Baghdad and the building's sound infrastructure. The hospital is located between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Trade buildings, and is only a few blocks from the Palestinian Hotel. It is rumored that the Olympic Hospital formerly was the private medical facility of Saddam Hussein's son, Uday. The Olympic Hospital, although intact, has been completely gutted and stripped of its equipment by looters -- the hospital's MRI machine was dragged into the alley and destroyed. ¶4. (C) The UAE delegation tasked the UAE Embassy in Baghdad to hire contractors to begin cleaning the building immediately, and to oversee the complete renovation of the hospital. The facility will need a great deal of general cleaning and glass repair, and the contractors will build a fence around the back of the hospital and to begin construction on housing for the Emirati medical staff. The UAE delegation also hired armed guards to protect the building from further looting. The UAE Embassy in Baghdad plans to have a portion of the building ready for outpatient services within the next 48 hours. ¶5. (C) Post will continue to coordinate the shipment of UAE medical and administrative staff and equipment to Baghdad as soon as possible. USLO expects CENTCOM to approve an airlift of an initial seven core UAE medical personnel and basic supplies directly to Baghdad within the next 48 hours. Wahba