Photo By Spc. Anderson Savoy | Pfc. Annabel Chong, from Cerritos, Calif., a combat medic with Company C, 296th...... read more read more
Subscribe
DIYALA, Iraq — Patients trickled into a makeshift compound for medical care during the first tripartite medical civil action program in the small village of Albu Gaed, Iraq, outside the city of Tibaj, Feb. 9.
Taking place in a local school, Soldiers from Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in cooperation with the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army provided security while medical professionals treated patients.
"We came to this small village to establish an acute care clinic," said Capt. Jason Collins, from Dupont, Wash., the 1/14 Cav. physician assistant. "This is our first time working with both Kurdish and Arabic doctors."
Five classrooms of the small school were turned into four exam rooms, and one waiting room, each with an assigned medical provider to treat and evaluate the women, children and men from the community.
One station was aimed primarily at females and was run by Capt. Rachel Villacorta-Lyew, of Morgan Hill, Calif., 296th Brigade Support Battalion surgeon.
"We want to encourage the women to seek medical care and education," said Villacorta-Lyew. "It's less intimidating having a female medic, interpreter, and provider."
Promoting personal health, Capt. Mary Nolan, from Lewiston, Minn., the 3-2 SBCT preventive medicine officer, managed the waiting room as she instructed self-care health to young boys and girls such as the importance of brushing teeth. Instead of playing with toys, the children congregated around Nolan as she demonstrated hand washing and tooth brushing techniques.
"They are the rising generation of Iraq," said Nolan. "We gain a lot of rapport with the community if we do well with the children."
It is important to instill healthy habits in children while they are young, because these practices will eventually become a part of their daily routine.
As well as U.S. Army doctors and medics, civilian doctors from nearby areas volunteered to participate in this event to bring treatment to their own people.
"The presence of the Kurdish and Iraqi doctors helped the patients feel more welcome," said Nolan.
One of these local specialists was Dr. Sami Faadel, a Kurdish pharmacist who gave treatment and assisted with issuing out prescription medicines to those in need.
"This is my first time working with Iraqi security forces, I usually work in a hospital, so it was nice to get out and come to the patients" said Dr. Faadel. "I alone saw almost 50 patients."
Out of the estimated 200 residents of Albu Gaed, approximately 100 visited the school to seek treatment, proving that adequate medical care is of great value to the community.
At the end of the day, the operation was a success as Arab and Kurdish soldiers continued to forge a bond with the local community and each other.
"This is more than just giving something to the locals, this is a clear message to the people that the U.S. can work with the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga to better their lives," said Capt. Ken Quail, a native of Jersey City, N.J., Charlie Troop commander, 1/14 Cav.
| Date Taken: | 02.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2010 02:04 |
| Story ID: | 45496 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 378 |
| Downloads: | 317 |
This work, Albu Gaed Receives First Tripartite MEDCAP, by SGT Adrian Muehe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT