448th CAB aids Iraqis during MEDCAP

Courtesy Photo | 1st Lt. Dr. Abd Ali Shannan, a doctor with 3BDE, 6th IAD sees patients with Maj. Eric Elgin, battalion surgeon, 2-22nd IN, during a MEDCAP in Abu Ghraib county near Baghdad. (Photo by Spc. C. Terrell Turner, 4th ID PAO)  

AQURQUF, IRAQ

01.16.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Spc. C. Terrell Turner
4th Inf. Div. Public Affairs

AQURQUF, Iraq -- The residents in Aqurquf, a small village in the Abu Ghreib area of Baghdad, recently received medical assistance from Soldiers in the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment during a joint medical-civil affairs program.

Using the school as a makeshift field clinic, the 448th CAB and "Triple Deuce" secured the area before announcing, via loud speaker, the opportunity for local residents to receive health care as well as much-needed blankets, shoes and school supplies.
More than 60 Soldiers worked together as dozens of residents and their children came to receive help from the medics and doctors on location to assist those in need.

The process began with medics, assisted by translators, assessing the patients" status.
"A lot of these local areas are not in close proximity to a hospital," pointed out Capt. Mark Rieves, commander, Company D, 2-22nd Inf. Reg. "Normally we patrol areas and search for anti-Iraqi forces, then we go to people's houses and farms and see what kinds of help they need, what they grow, basically their agricultural logistics."

The 2-22nd Inf. Reg. provided security for the operation and the 448th selected an ideal location for the event.

"We came here before and spoke to the headmaster and teachers to get permission to do this," said Maj. Kathy Champion, company commander, Company A, 448th CAB. "We work with units who are willing to do this to find a good location for them. Hopefully, in the future, Iraqis will do all these (MEDCAPS). We can provide security while they do the rest."

"The numbers we've received today are very good," Champion said. "We were hoping for about one hundred people and we got a hundred. During the summer, when its warmer, we've had over a thousand people show up. This is a holiday time and not a lot of people are in the area."

Each patient received an evaluation, treatment, as-needed medicine and humanitarian assistance items, donated by various organizations.

"Our mission is to provide medical assistance to the local populace, focusing on the youth," said Maj. Gustavus Walters, team leader, Company A, 448th CAB. "We try to do these as often as possible. These small operations yield high-impact results, and it's a good way to let the people know we're here to help. To them it means a lot."

The Iraqis received everything from medicine and blankets to shoes and wheelchairs.
"We are very happy, and we thank them for their aid," said one woman, who was helped by the doctors.

In a display of cooperation, an Iraqi doctor participated in seeing and treating patients at the MEDCAP.

"I like the Army," said 1st Lt. Dr. Abd Ali Shannan, a doctor with 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. "I was a military doctor under Saddam as well. This is a happy day for me. Every day I work and give support to the people makes me happy."

As supplies began to run low, the troops ended the event and made sure the remaining patients in the school compound were taken care of with medicine and blankets before they departed the area.

"I love this," said Sgt. Cory Smith, senior line medic, Company D, 2-22nd Inf. Reg. "This is the part of the job I like. In Afghanistan, they really didn't have access to medicine as much as here in Iraq. This is my first (MEDCAP) here, and it went pretty smooth. We gave a lot of vitamins out today and there seemed to be a lot of upset stomachs."

• Date Taken: 01.16.2006
• Date Posted: 01.16.2006 15:30
• Story ID: 5128
• Location: AQURQUF, IQ