PMT, ANP Provide Security During MEDCAP

AFGHANISTAN

10.30.2007

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Seymour
CSTC-A Public Affairs

ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Locals from a remote village north of the southern tip of Highway One lined up by the hundreds for a chance to receive medical attention from coalition forces, Oct. 26.

A handful of physician assistants and combat medics from all over Kandahar province planned the Medical Civil Action Program for the area based on recommendations from the Zhari District police mentor team.

When the PMT went up to visit this village in the northern Zhari desert a few weeks ago, they found that this MEDCAP was essential. So its team leader, Capt. Hunter Hill, initiated the request and created a plan to build a school and at least two wells in a central part of the village that houses some 7,000 Afghan families.

"I think it's important to not only bring medical care to the villages, but also to build things like schools and wells because that area is completely separated from the rest of society," said Hill. "It's out in the desert, and they need those vital elements in a town of nearly 15,000 people."

Hill and his 12-man PMT, alongside dozens of Afghan national police forces, provided a security perimeter for the MEDCAP while the medical team treated hundreds of ailing villagers over the course of three hours.

Army Maj. Charles Blankman, Capt. Maureen Sevilla and 1st Lt. Nathan Marsh treated the locals for acute and chronic medical problems, passed out medications and provided instruction for proper use. If the ailment went beyond the capabilities of the medics, though, they were referred to a local medical facility for further treatment.

"This was one of the better MEDCAPs that I've ever done," said Blankman. "It went pretty smoothly, and we saw a lot of people. We usually don't see that many people in that timeframe."

The MEDCAP is also referred to as a village medical outreach, and is designed to both help ailing local citizens and earn their trust in coalition and Afghan forces. It's a big part of information operations, and a valuable program for turning locals in favor of their security forces and coalition mentors.

The main thing these people want is security, says Hill. He believes they all want the Taliban out, and admits that it is his team's responsibility to do just that, as they are the ones with the know-how. To him, these MEDCAPs are essential, but are nowhere near as important as providing security to the local populace first.

"This place needs to be cleared of the bad guys before we can safely and properly rebuild it," said Hill. "You win the hearts and minds by first bringing security."

Although Hill believes it is difficult to determine how many villages are in need of medical treatment, he knows that it is his team's mission to seek them out the best he can based on threat levels and mission-essential priorities.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2007
• Date Posted: 10.30.2007 09:22
• Story ID: 13460
• Location: AF