New Troop Medical Clinic brings health care to Camp Zafar

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

12.15.2011

Story by Karla Marshall 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District - South

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — A newly constructed troop medical clinic will allow the Afghan National Army to provide expanded routine medical services to its soldiers assigned to Camp Zafar near Herat.

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Afghan National Army and the contractor, Omran Holding Group, celebrated the project completion with a turn over ceremony at the new facility Dec. 15.

Afghan Maj. Gen. Shazadah, through an interpreter, thanked the United States for making the clinic possible. He said he was personally grateful for the investment of the American people and promised that his troops would operate and maintain the facility as professionally as possible.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Cox, USACE Transatlantic Division commanding general, also recognized the value of the clinic during his remarks. He said the clinic supports the Afghan Government and coalition forces’ goal of providing the Afghan National Army with facilities that enable them to establish long-term stability in Afghanistan.

“This clinic will meet the needs of the ANA in this region,” Cox said. “The soldiers and their families will be healthier which benefits the entire community.”

“This $1.67 million clinic contains a pharmacy, dental and medical treatment rooms, a staff kitchen, waiting area and rest rooms,” said Jennifer Zimmerman, the USACE project manager. “Its exterior components include a road, parking spaces and a trash point.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Benjamin Wham, the USACE Afghanistan Engineer District-South commander, said the project had to be re-awarded because the original contractor was unable to complete it. “We awarded this contract to Omran Feb. 22 and they finished it Dec. 8. It is a testament to the teamwork of our project manager and the district’s Herat Area Office American and Afghan project engineers and quality assurance representatives.”

Wham further explained that the successful completion of this clinic exemplified one of the key USACE goals in Afghanistan — to develop Afghan engineering capacity through mentorship of Afghan engineers.

“The Herat Area Office’s Afghan project engineers and quality assurance representatives are our legacy,” Wham said. “They are well on their way to becoming the men who will set the standard for Afghanistan’s engineering future.”

• Date Taken: 12.15.2011
• Date Posted: 12.18.2011 07:30
• Story ID: 81549
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF