Medical Expo reinforces disease prevention

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier hands out posters with hygiene instructions to children during a Medical Expo in Fahad Fadhil, northwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 30, 2008.  

TAJI, IRAQ

11.05.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Teaching children how to prevent diseases and the basics of proper sanitation can help break the cycle of diseases and help keep the people of Iraq healthy.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," Multi-National Division – Baghdad, joined with local doctors, nurses, pharmacists, officials and Iraqi army medics to teach the residents of Fahad Fadhil, northwest of Baghdad, how to keep themselves healthy during a Medical Expo Oct. 30, 2008.

Approximately 250 residents turned out to listen as their local providers presented classes and took advantage of the opportunity to get to know them.

"We want to show the people that these officials care," said Sawsan, a women's and children's rights worker and a member of the city council. "When they have a problem, we want them to know they can come to us."

Sawsan said she hopes this will help instill a sense of confidence in the government of Iraq for the residents of the area.

"By seeing them out here, it gives the people a chance to interact with officials and get them more familiar and comfortable with them."

The providers taught the basics on the prevention of diseases, such as cholera and typhoid.

"What is really important to us is that the Iraqi populace is already educated in many of these problems," said Capt. Drew Webb, a native of Monterey, Calif., a physician assistant assigned to 2nd Sqdn. 14th Cav. Regt.

Webb said the Soldiers took a backseat role and had the "privilege to observe" local providers "reiterate what the people in the town already knew."

The children who attended the classes performed songs they learned in school about diseases and answered questions posed to them. Webb said he was impressed by the knowledge the children and adults already had.

"There are not a lot of sick people here," Webb said, "so they are doing something right."

• Date Taken: 11.05.2008
• Date Posted: 11.05.2008 06:13
• Story ID: 25938
• Location: TAJI, IQ