COVID-19 In Iraq: How Music Has Healing Power

By Dejaih Smith 

Transitioning from Autumn to Winter, Iraq’s COVID-19 outbreak rates have been labeled as “very alarming.” To respond to the escalating emergency and support, local health authorities like Dr. Abbas al-Tamimi, Director of the Basra Health Department, have been getting more creative with their messaging to the public.

PRE-PANDEMIC IN IRAQ

Pre-pandemic public protests rang out pertaining to unemployment, corruption of public officials, and dismay with the country’s political system. Frustration was already bubbling over amid the youngest of the population suffering from low employment opportunities mainly in Baghdad, Basra, and other southern Iraqi cities.

The unfavorable impact of the virus came with the hospitality and restaurant sectors becoming suffocated from inoperability. The oil prices fell which affected many businesses especially linked public positions. The harm of salaries around the country was already on the incline and COVID-19 stressed daily living exceeding maximum withstanding.

HEALING THROUGH MUSIC

Doctors have been pushed to take on new roles to communicate the seriousness of COVID-19. Through an upbeat, pop song, Abbas al-Tamimi has been able to spread the truth of COVID-19 in Arabic to counter the inaccurate information and myths spreading across social media.

Al Mirbad was able to take a stand with this project being currently funded through a grant from the EU. With the sponsorship of Al Mirbad, a trusted, independent Iraqi editorial media source, Dr. Tamimi was able to play this song over the loudspeaker in a hospital in Baghdad. The song has reached almost 20 million views on YouTube so far.

Remixing the lyrics to an Egyptian pop song to emphasize the need for a lockdown as well as more support the medical and security services was the goal of this song and just what the Iraqi society needed.

The mouthpiece Dr. Tamimi was offered through Al Mirbad exposed the issues that were stunting the advancement of Iraq during this time. A helpful component of Al Mirbad’s work is being able to produce widely popular satirical skits in an informative yet entertaining way. To continue this trend, its latest skits highlight critical information about COVID-19.

Al Mirbad’s job is to challenge public officials on topics that would otherwise be neglected. There has been a shift in practices in the society promoting constructive dialogue between citizens and the authorities in Iraq.

Without the platform of Al Mirbad, Dr. Tamimi would not have been able to publicize the critical role the public plays in making informed decisions during this public health crisis. This song has allowed for a uniquely placed song to help people cope with daily life as a result of the pandemic.

REPORTS FROM INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Many doctors from the intensive care units of hospitals around Iraq are expressing concerns as they are seeing a sharp increase of incoming COVID-19 patients. They have noticed the remaining amount of bed space in their units is testing the bandwidth of their capability.

Doctors are also noticing the disease is not being taken seriously until it becomes personal. Once an individual or a relative has the virus, they do not realize the weight of this pandemic. You can see things on the news or online, but it seems as though many are waiting until it’s too late to take precautionary measures against the virus.

The President of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) revealed the depth of the economic and social crisis inflicting the country due to COVID-19. Dr. Yaseen Abbas stressed the need to strengthen risk reduction and disaster management protocols to protect the population. Read Dr. Yaseen Abbas’ response on starting the ‘Your Doctor’ program and the efforts his organization is taking to serve the community:

“Thank God we haven’t stopped providing our services to the community and were able, despite the regular life disruption for a period of time, to conduct our activities according to population’s needs emerging from the pandemic. As IRCS, I believe we navigated lots of phases in fulfilling our humanitarian goals, as well as answering people’s requirements.” 

The value of stable health is at jeopardy around the world. This pandemic has sped up the opportunity of an economic collapse in the Middle East where the wealth gap is large and the majority of the region is of a vulnerable population. In Iraq, and even globally, there is a major shortage on PPE.

From ventilators to hospital beds, healthcare professionals are worrying about how to alleviate the Iraqis suffering from the various side effects of COVID-19. Seeing how this song has championed the voice of medical personnel in Iraq has been a positive mark for their society. This song has encouraged staying at home and keeping social responsibility top-of-mind. Dr. Tamimi has suggested how to translate these health standards into their lifestyle. With the roll-out of various COVID-19 vaccines, the continued health of the Iraqis is up to the citizens to uphold.