Iraq Reimposes Freeze on Medical Diplomas In Bid to Keep Doctors From Fleeing Abroad

Fadhil, who has dreamed of being a doctor since she was a child, said she feels sorry that Iraq is losing its physicians. Then again, she said, fear of leaving her house kept her away from classes for all but 10 days of the first three months of this year.

So even though she has no plans to leave Iraq after graduating, Fadhil admits she would not hesitate to flee if she felt threatened -- with or without her diploma. She would simply postpone her residency.

One senior medical school official in Baghdad has no sympathy with such arguments. In an interview in his central Baghdad office, he railed against what he views as "exploitation" by graduates, accusing them of stealing away with a "national treasure" -- a free medical education. The students have a duty to stay, he said.

"Let's put it right: What was happening in Saddam's time was better than what is happening now," said the official, who said he did not want his name published out of fear for his life. "There was order. There was discipline. This we are losing."

Although the medical association says it will dispute the diploma decision, doctors and students said they plan no public protest, fearing it could get them killed.

Besides, some said, Iraq's disorder could yield benefits -- corruption is rampant, so rules can be broken. Fadhil said there were rumors on campus that graduates could get their degrees from the Ministry of Higher Education by paying a bribe of about $5,700. Araji, the surgery professor, said he has heard it costs a mere $200.

"Look, in countries like Iraq, living in a chaos, everyone believes that everything is possible with money," said Araji, who graduated in the Hussein era and said he never did get his degree. "They pay, and they can get their certificate. Like a passport."

Special correspondents Saad al-Izzi and K.I. Ibrahim contributed to this report.