Jeremy Greenberg: The Ballad of the Balad Hospital
Jan 14 2010
One of the reasons I took this Iraq/Kuwait gig was to see first-hand what’s going on here. Back home, you only know what the media tells you. And that’s all media: liberal, conservative or otherwise. Yesterday we took a tour of the JBB (Joint Base Balad) hospital. And since I know this blog will also be read by people outside of the military, I’m compelled to write an entry that won’t be as humorous as my others, but will highlight one of the amazing things our soldiers are doing here. And I must also add a highly opinionated comment about the concept of “culture.” Thank you for indulging me.
Most of the patients at the hospital are Iraqis, and they’re not there for war-related injuries. A majority were hurt in home accidents. We often don’t hear about how our military serves the surrounding community. But it’s a key part of our military’s service, and it goes beyond simply attempting to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis. We’re also training the Iraqis to run the hospital themselves, so that when we leave, they can take over running the hospital and continue to provide a high level of service to their people.
Sadly, based on a “cultural” difference, they’re really going to need it. One of the patients was a three-year-old boy who had severe burns covering ninety percent of his body. Why was he burned? Because his parent left a kerosene heater on the floor. The child’s natural curiosity would’ve killed him had it not been for our facility.
As a parent, I know that leaving anything dangerous on the floor is just asking for trouble. Even with a child-proofed home, a kid can still hurt himself. But I was told that this isn’t a fluke case. Many kids come into that hospital with similar injuries caused primarily by the negligence of Iraqi parents. When I asked if these parents will face any legal action, I was told “no,” and that Iraqi’s disregard for their kids’ well-being is actually a “cultural” difference. A cultural difference? Are you kidding? To me, a cultural difference is choosing not to eat pork, or fasting. Child endangerment isn’t a cultural difference, it’s a crime against humanity.
I think that if we’re going to spend all this time saving the lives of Iraqi children, we should also take a more active role in suggesting to the parents what is and isn’t safe for their kids. It was explained to me that the Iraqis (as well as the Kuwaits and many Middle Eastern cultures) have the attitude that, whatever happens is the “will of God.” I know I need to be careful here, because there is something profound and true in that philosophy, for both Western and Eastern cultures. But leaving a dangerous, flammable gas heater within reach of a curious child is not the “will of God.” It is idiocy and negligence. I pray that, as we continue to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, the practice of using “God’s will” as an excuse for bad parenting becomes a thing of the past.
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Jeremy Greenberg has written for Geek Monthly, Pregnancy Magazine and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jokes (Alpha/Penguin). He is the author of Relative Discomfort: The Family Survival Guide (Andrews McMeel). When Jeremy’s not writing, he’s managing the development of his twin, toddler sons, agreeing with his overworked and underappreciated wife, or dodging phone calls from his weird and obnoxious relatives. Learn more at www.relativediscomfort.com
