Surgery in Turbulent Mesopotamia: Work and Life in Erbil, Iraq, one of the most Ancient Cities on Earth

Through fourteen years of work as a surgeon in Erbil, Iraq, Amir Al-Dabbagh built a sense of genuine trust and friendship with his patients, the society of Erbil, his colleagues, and students in the city, a feeling that continues to inspire him to return to the city, and record his experiences in this memoir. Amir Al-Dabbagh started his medical career in 1970, graduating from Mosul and working in Iraq for six years before a period practicing medicine and surgery in the UK. After being forced into leaving Iraq in 1993, Amir continued working in the UK at Trafford General Hospital and the Manchester Royal Infirmary. His career has been one of patient care and student training, as a consultant surgeon and dean of a medical college in Erbil through peace and war. This memoir is a collection of thoughts and experiences of the medical profession through times of war and inner turmoil, fleeing as a refugee and collected wisdom on undergraduate and postgraduate training as well as good practice in patient care and surgery. The author reflects on the importance of family and friends and a genuine love of Erbil and Iraq, a beautiful country overflowing with history and welcoming people. Ultimately, nothing would have forced him to leave Erbil but the direct threat on his life. Also included is an account of Dr Waleed Khalid's practice in Baghdad, as consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon during the Iraq-Iran War and the First Gulf War, providing another interesting perspective on striving to care for one's patients as a surgeon in turbulent times. Dr Waleed's perseverance to build the first cardiothoracic and vascular unit in the north of Iraq was fraught with many obstacles, which he clearly highlights in his account.