The call came from the command surgeon for Multinational Forces Iraq (MNF-I). All detainees came under his authority, and there was one that needed a couple of specialists. I kept the list of where all the doctors were and what their specialties were. The MNF-I doc asked me to locate two specialists. One needed to be an endocrinologist and the other was a cardiologist. I told him he was in luck because I was the only endocrinologist in theater and I could get a hold of the cardiologist. When I asked what it was about I was told that I would have to be briefed in person.
In my briefing I learned that I would be seeing Saddam Hussein. I ended up seeing him as a patient several times. I diagnosed him with primary hyper-aldosteronism from an adrenal mass. It was a logistical nightmare to get the testing supplies and samples out of theater, but I executed the task I had been given. I remained his endocrinologist while he was a prisoner.
I was torn with the idea of providing care for someone who was so evil. I read the battle reports daily and could not help but feel that so much of the death and destruction was on this man’s hands. It was hard to not let that emotional bias affect the way I treated him. It was difficult to reconcile internally, but I decided that I had to treat him as I would any other human. I had to be consistent in my approach even when dealing with such evil. It was ultimately empowering to my faith to know that I treated him no differently though he had given this country nothing but evil.
Dear Lord, help me never forget that every human being is made in your image. Thank you for the assurance that you are the ultimate judgment of every soul.
“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)