US troops donate medical supplies to GoI

Photo By Lt. Col. Christopher Brautigam | Capt. Arthur Macaspac, operations officer for the Civil Affairs Planning Team, attached to the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, and a native of Rahwah, N.J., helps employees from the Ministry of Health load the last parts of an ultrasound machine at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. The 2/82 and the Anbar Provincial Reconstruction Team donated seven ultrasound machines, medical textbooks, and medical awareness posters to the Ministry of Health in the Al-Anbar province.  

RAMADI, IRAQ

07.20.2011

Story by Maj. Christopher Brautigam 

82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office

RAMADI, Iraq – “Ultrasound technology can be used by almost every medical specialty in patient care,” said Capt. Heather O’Mara, Monkton, Vt., native and the brigade surgeon for the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. O’Mara was present for the transfer of seven ultra-sound machines to the Ministry of Health at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, July 20.

The 2/82 AAB Civil Affairs team and the Anbar Provincial Reconstruction team have been working for months to ensure the smooth handover and donation of these machines plus additional medical supplies, equipment, and teaching materials to the Ministry of Health. This equipment will expand the capabilities of local clinics and hospitals and improve the quality of care physicians provide to their patients.

Capt. Arthur Macaspac, operations officer for the Civil Affairs Planning Team, and Rahway, N.J., native said “we have been working with the PRT on this initiative for a long time. It’s good to provide this equipment to the local hospitals so they can better do their jobs.”

“This equipment will help everyone,” said ministry employee supervisor Nuhad Najim Majeed, after loading ultrasound machines, medical books, posters, and water test kits into the back of the MoH’s truck. “Everything is useful and we will spread it out across Anbar.”

Although the medical supplies and textbooks were important, the most important aspect of the handover was the training and education the 2/82 provided to the MoH on each piece of equipment they donated to ensure the equipment is used to its full capability.

“The use of ultrasound in trauma patients allows for the rapid identification of patients that need surgical intervention. Using the ultrasound machines, medical providers can identify acute injuries, such as intra-abdominal bleeding, and swiftly move patients into surgery.” This capability, O’Mara said, “will ultimately save lives in Anbar.”

• Date Taken: 07.20.2011
• Date Posted: 07.25.2011 08:40
• Story ID: 74271
• Location: RAMADI, IQ