British maintain a presence in Basra

The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

The group of nine obstetric and gynaecology doctors will travel to Basra to train Iraqi doctors techniques which could save hundreds of lives.

The medical professionals in Basra and hospitals in southern Iraq do not lack the expertise but the equipment to deal with complications during childbirth.

The UK team will run two courses over the next fortnight to teach their Iraqi counterparts simple techniques to help women, such as non-surgical ways to treat haemorrhages.

The trip has been organised by the Management of Obstetric Emergency Trauma (MOET) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

I have told the team that 'I would not put you in any more danger than I am willing to accept myself ' Andrew Mathieson, MOET trip co-ordinator

The team comprises nine doctors, including a midwife and an anaesthetist. Two of the doctors are Iraqis living in the UK.

Trip co-ordinator Andrew Mathieson said: "There will be a lot of lecturing to begin with and then there will be practical demonstrations and practical work.

"The purpose of the course is to transfer simple skills developed in the UK into the Iraqi health service.

"We know this course will help in a small way. "

Mr Mathieson, a Territorial Army member, went to Basra last year, working as an environmental health officer for the army, although he was quickly re-deployed as a medical liaison officer.

Death threat

It was during this time he made contacts in the Iraqi health service and recognised how the UK could help.

It was a far cry from his day job as a senior lecturer in environmental health at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

He said: "I was shot at in the street.

Andrew Mathieson is 'apprehensive'

"I was in a meeting with the director general of health for Basra and went outside to check on my security escort.

"I saw this man crouched with a pistol and he tried shooting at me twice.

"I had no jacket and no helmet."

Fortunately the bullets missed him. It was a close encounter, but failed to deter him from returning.

This time he will be under the protection of the British army, at the British Military Hospital in Basra.

However, the trip is not without its risks and he has had to reassure the medical team that they will be safe.

Nerves

He said: "I have told the team that 'I would not put you in any more danger than I am willing to accept myself and I have a young family and I want to return'."

He can't deny that he is nervous.

"I am apprehensive but looking forward to it," he said.

Iraqi hospitals are spartan

The Royal College has helped facilitate the trip after setting up an Iraqi Liaison Group last June to develop a programme for the improvement of the healthcare of women in Iraq.

Royal College senior vice-president Dr Matt Carty said: "I'm very excited about this. I think it's a great idea.

"What we want to know from the Iraqi doctors is 'what more we can do'."

MOET has received sponsorship for the trip from healthcare giant Johnson and Johnson.

Funding has come from the British Council, but MOET desperately needs more money to organise similar projects in the future.

Donations can be sent to MOET via the e-mail address [email protected].