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Birth defects 'rise' in Falluja | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A BBC investigation in Iraq has confirmed a disturbingly high number of birth defects among children in the town of Falluja. | |
Six years ago, in 2004, there were fierce battles as US forces subdued two uprisings in the town. | Six years ago, in 2004, there were fierce battles as US forces subdued two uprisings in the town. |
Now, one hospital doctor told the BBC that they see two or three cases of birth defects each day. | Now, one hospital doctor told the BBC that they see two or three cases of birth defects each day. |
The US military says it is not aware of any official reports showing an increase in birth defects in the area. | The US military says it is not aware of any official reports showing an increase in birth defects in the area. |
It says it always takes public health concerns about any population now living in a combat theatre "very seriously". | It says it always takes public health concerns about any population now living in a combat theatre "very seriously". |
"No studies to date have indicated environmental issues resulting in specific health issues," said US Military Health System Communications Director Michael Kilpatrick. | "No studies to date have indicated environmental issues resulting in specific health issues," said US Military Health System Communications Director Michael Kilpatrick. |
"Unexploded ordinance, including improvised explosive devises, are a recognised hazard," he added. | "Unexploded ordinance, including improvised explosive devises, are a recognised hazard," he added. |
But local people blame the weapons used by the US troops during the fighting. | But local people blame the weapons used by the US troops during the fighting. |
It was hard to find doctors at the brand-new, US-funded hospital in Falluja who were prepared to talk about the problem. | |
'Savage epidemic' | 'Savage epidemic' |
I was told they were scared to speak because the Iraqi government did not want to create trouble for the Americans. | I was told they were scared to speak because the Iraqi government did not want to create trouble for the Americans. |
The official line is that Falluja has only two or three cases of birth defects a year more than normal. | |
But, in the children's ward, I spoke to a paediatrician who told me he saw as many as two or three cases a day, mainly cardiac defects. | But, in the children's ward, I spoke to a paediatrician who told me he saw as many as two or three cases a day, mainly cardiac defects. |
That would mean that this medium-sized town has some 1,000 cases of birth defects a year. | That would mean that this medium-sized town has some 1,000 cases of birth defects a year. |
Every doctor, and every parent I spoke to there, believed the problem was the highly sophisticated weapons the US troops used against Falluja six years ago. | |
The rubble from the damaged buildings was bulldozed into the river - and people in Falluja have got their drinking water from there ever since. | |
I went to a house where all three young children were suffering from paralysis or brain damage. | I went to a house where all three young children were suffering from paralysis or brain damage. |
A man who heard I was there brought his daughter to show me - she had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, and suffered from several serious diseases. | A man who heard I was there brought his daughter to show me - she had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, and suffered from several serious diseases. |
Falluja is in the grip of a savage epidemic, and the victims are the weakest and most vulnerable of all. |