Mustafa Abed
Mustafa's News Coverage | Portland, Oregon Chapter
Mustafa's father took him to Fallujah General Hospital, where he was prescribed a series of injections to fight an infection. The hospital, which suffered a chronic shortage of even the most basic medical supplies, could not provide the medicine. But Mustafa's mother, Nidhal, had a cousin who worked in a clinic as a nurse. Later that afternoon, Nidhal carried Mustafa to the clinic to receive his first injection. As she returned home, an American air raid began. She started to run down the street, carrying Mustafa in her arms, but a missile struck a nearby building, throwing her to the ground and peppering her arms and chest with shrapnel. The blast knocked her unconscious. When she came to, Mustafa was lying on the ground a few feet away, screaming and covered in blood. Shrapnel had torn his leg and most of his hip from his body.
Townspeople rushed them to the hospital. A large section of Mustafa's colon had to be removed. Though doctors in Iraq were able to save the boy's life, they couldn't provide the prosthetics services he needs. Iraq's medical care system, destroyed by almost two decades of sanctions, war and occupation, has yet to be restored.
Mustafa is now five years old. He has never walked, and has to use a colostomy bag.
Maxine Fookson and Ned Roach contacted NMV after seeing a segment about Salee Allawe on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman. They formed a project, and NMV sent Mustafa's medical reports for review by local doctors. Maxine and Ned organized more than fifty community members who went to work to help Mustafa and his family. Shriners Hospital of Portland, Oregon generously agreed to treat Mustafa free of charge, and arrangements are now underway to evacuate the young boy from Fallujah to Portland so he can receive the medical attention he so urgently needs.