Manipal Hospital trains Iraqi doctors

"Iraq is today rebuilding its healthcare system with help from countries like India," said Dr Husam al-Saffar, leader of the Iraqi team of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff who received week-long practical training on a nephrological procedure "" 'chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis' (CAPD) "" at Manipal Hospital.

Iraq's healthcare system has been ravaged by successive wars and most recently the US-led occupation which has been marked by looting of hospitals and exodus of healthcare personnel.

Chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure are said to be more common in developing and poor countries. But many qualified nephrologists work in advanced countries. Hence the need to train personnel for developing countries.