Courtesy Photo | 25th Infantry Division Soldiers from Schofield Barracks, HI, work with local Iraqis to...... read more read more
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KIRKUK, Iraq – 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team delivered medical supplies to the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital April 19. The delivery included 6,500 intravenous bags, 3,400 bottles of medicine, needles, sutures and X-ray films.
Capt. Christopher Curtis, 3rd Brigade's surgeon coordinated for the delivery of supplies to take place at the hospital instead of at the medical supply warehouse. This will get the supplies to the hospital so they can be used for treatment immediately.
According to Curtis, these supplies will help fight the most common ailments faced by Iraqi children: fever, infection and dehydration. The IV bags and needles will allow approximately 3,000 children to be treated for dehydration, receive IV medications, or have fluids for surgery.
"The supplies and medicines change the type of services we are able to provide and improve medical care for the children. The fluids will help treat fever and prevent illness from dehydration in the summer," said Dr. Rashid Burhan, Deputy Director of Ministry of Health.
The medications will allow for 12,750 surgical cases to be completed with anesthesia, remedy 1,720 children having seizures, and treat 2,400 children with infection. These medical supplies are enough for three months worth of surgeries at the hospital.
"The (pediatric) hospital has not been receiving enough supplies due to the lack of security in moving them from Baghdad," said Curtis. With this large push of supplies, he plans for the hospital to get several months ahead in medical and surgical treatment. The money and time saved can be used to order supplies for the future and establish a system of supply delivery.
In addition to the supply drop, Curtis routinely meets with the doctors and student residents to teach, coach and mentor them in order to improve treatment procedures.
"The general basis of knowledge of the doctors is fantastic," said Curtis. "The standard of care is very high, and they manage to keep the hospital very clean, which is challenging in this [dusty] environment."
By ensuring supplies are on hand for treatment and providing technical assistance as Iraqi doctors provide medical care to their own people, Curtis anticipates Iraqis will gain confidence in their medical system and not rely on coalition facilities.
"With these supplies we have everything for medical care. I want the media to let people know we are ready for any emergency and can treat any condition," said Burhan.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2007 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 10160 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 168 |
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