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