Photo By Sgt. Dustin Roberts | Capt. Kenneth Johnson, surgeon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Dustin Roberts
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad doctors of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, got a good feel, Nov. 5, 2008, of what to expect over its 12-month deployment.
Capt. Kenneth "Trip" Johnson, the Dagger Brigade surgeon, along with his counterpart, Maj. Amit Bhavsar, surgeon for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), visited five medical clinics in the northwest Baghdad area.
The doctors made assessments of equipment and capacities for each clinic in order to determine what the staffs need in order to be successful at saving lives, Johnson said.
Bhavsar, who is redeploying back to Fort Campbell, Ky., later this month, introduced Johnson, his replacement, to some of the staff at each clinic.
"Maj. Bhavsar has done a great job building a relationship with the local clinics here," said Johnson. "I want to continue building on that connection without missing a step."
An important portion of the mission was establishing an understanding with the leaders of the clinics to focus on gaining a better relationship with the Iraqi ministry of health.
"One of our main priorities is to get the medical facilities to rely on the U.S. Government as little as possible," Bhavsar said. "The MOH must tend to the needs of its clinics, and we will facilitate that process as much as possible."
He also noted that the MOH is a crucial system and one in need of specific oversight and guidance by the Iraqi government to address challenges in the current system.
Johnson added that the current system was flawed assisting the MOH in addressing the issues is high on the list.
"Stabilizing government systems such as the MOH are the checkmate moves of winning this war," Johnson said. "I'm just glad to be apart of it."
The surgeons also checked on new equipment recently delivered by the MOH to the clinics, such as generators and portable ultrasound machines. They also took advantage of the opportunity to ensure the staff had the proper training to operate the new equipment.
Johnson added he and the 12 other doctors he works with were willing to provide classes to exchange insight on medicine and the equipment.
"We just want to understand each other – be on the same page so more lives can ultimately be saved," he said.
Johnson toyed with the idea of wanting to set up partnerships between the clinics and hospitals in the United States to better mentor and assist the clinic staffs.
"It would be great for these doctors to learn from the medical leaders in the world," he said. "Although it's a lofty idea, it would be a good goal for the future."
After the five clinics were properly assessed and accounted for, the Army doctors returned to base with a fine understanding of what needs to be done in supporting the local medical facilities in northwest Baghdad.
"Of course, the lives of our Soldiers are the number-one priority for us, but I will do my best to help the local facilities as often as my job permits," Johnson said. "Saving lives is what I'm all about, and we hope in the future to work together to make these clinics better."
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2008 09:59 |
| Story ID: | 26045 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 365 |
| Downloads: | 292 |
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