ANA, ANP save Afghan lives in Oruzgan

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

02.21.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Combined Joint Task Force - 82
Combined Press Information Center

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Afghan national army, assisted by coalition forces, delivered five hot-water heaters to the Tarin Kowt hospital and subsequently visited the Oruzgan Provincial Afghan national police headquarters Feb. 16.

The team followed up on a previous visit to enhance the hospital's capabilities and met with the hospital director. The ANA 201st Kandak commander presented the water heaters and expressed his commitment to improve the conditions of the Tarin Kowt hospital.

"Thank you for listening to the needs of the hospital from our earlier meeting. Your help could not come at a better time," said the hospital director.

Before the delivery, the hospital did not have any hot water heaters. In the operating room, they boiled water on a diesel-burning stove.

"This is a health hazard, time consuming and in a hospital every second counts. During an operation, this [hot water heaters] will save lives and improve the overall sanitary condition," said a coalition medic.

Additionally, ANA delivered electric heaters to the hospital so the facility could have better climate control for recovering patients.

The team also visited the provincial ANP headquarters and talked with officers about new construction projects to expand the facilities. The ANP currently houses its personnel in the same facility where they work. The building has limited electricity, no heaters and no restrooms for the dozens of police officers working there.

The new building will provide office space separate from the living quarters. It will have offices for logistics, finance, commanders and there will be sufficient restroom facilities.

"The ANP headquarters is overcrowded and limited in space," said a coalition soldier. "Future projects will expand the headquarters and also emplace new walls to enhance the overall security."
The conversation switched to the topic of improvised explosive devices. The police chief said they discovered an IED near the Wanow Bridge in Tarin Kowt, the main passage for civilians and commerce going to and from the area.

Thechief said his officers secured the device and removed it, preventing it from injuring or killing civilians who travel the road.

"This find is crucial for the safety of the civilians in Tarin Kowt who use the bridge to get to the hospital," said a coalition soldier. "If the ANP hadn't removed the IED, it could have had a devastating effect and caused a lot of people to suffer. Their bravery saved Afghan lives."

• Date Taken: 02.21.2008
• Date Posted: 02.21.2008 13:46
• Story ID: 16548
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF