Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 22:43 GMT
A surgeon who has been risking his life to help citizens in his native Iraq has been telling of his role as he considers returning to Orkney.
Dr Ameir Al-Mukhtar left his post as a consultant surgeon with the islands' NHS trust to return to his homeland.
In that time his cousin was killed by a suicide bomber and several colleagues have been murdered.
Armed guards accompany Dr Al-Mukhtar whenever he leaves Baghdad's Medical City where he is the director general.
Two years after leaving Orkney's Balfour Hospital for Iraq, the 54-year-old is now in talks about coming back to Scotland.
Dr Al-Mukhtar, a member of The Viking Surgeons - a group of doctors who work on islands and for remote practices, said: "I miss my peaceful work by the seaside. I miss it so much.
"I hope to come back to Orkney in the summer and discussions are going on for my return."
Until then, he will carry on his duties rebuilding Baghdad's sprawling Medical City.
BBC
