Courtesy Photo | The new medical equipment will help in serving a total of approximately 160,000 Iraqi...... read more read more
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The people of a small city located approximately 40 miles southeast of the Iraqi capital had reason for celebration Nov. 26.
The hospital located in Suwayrah, Iraq, received its largest improvement project and upgrade to modern medical technology since it was founded in 1958.
The local hospital provides medical treatment for the citizens of Suwayrah and a large number of surrounding rural communities, serving a total of approximately 160,000 Iraqi citizens.
Dr. Nasir, general director of the hospital, said he was extremely pleased. He added that his pediatric ward and obstetrics department will enjoy most of the benefits.
According to the soft spoken pediatrician, the children patients of the hospital will ultimately benefit the most by receiving care with the use of modern equipment and advanced medical supplies. Incubators, lithotomic position beds, nebulizers, pediatric weight scales, and spectrophotometers are just some of the items part of the assistance package.
The project came about through the hard work of many people — American Soldiers and Iraqi nationals alike. Special Forces Soldiers met with 19 local sheikhs to identify and discuss many concerns of the local populace in August. While the infrastructure improvements needed in Wasit province are many, the tribal leaders unanimously supported the idea of improving the hospital. The team of SF Soldiers agreed and initiated the project.
With significant support from the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force — Arabian Peninsula and Special Operations Task Force - Central, the Special Forces detachment navigated the processes normally reserved for Civil Affairs experts and saw the project through.
A Soldier in the detachment stated that the assistance provided to the local community is a good example of how a small Special Forces team operating at the tactical level can leave a lasting effect at the operational and strategic levels. Only a few years ago, SF Soldiers operating in all provinces of Iraq achieved the same effects through kinetic operations and precise targeting of insurgent networks, he explained.
According to a team member, stability and support operations are becoming more prevalent in the environment in which SF detachments currently operate in Iraq. In order to maintain the successes achieved during 2007 and 2008, securing popular support by creating economic opportunities and ensuring basic services for the population is critical, claimed the SOTF-C Soldier.
When a community of more than 160,000 is in dire need of essential health services, it is time to make a sizable and enduring effort to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis, he added. Through a "can do" attitude and help from the Civil Affairs planners, the detachment completed the $205,000 project in just over three months.
"It was time, money and effort well spent when the popular support is so important to achieve the regional strategic objectives of the United States," he added.
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2009 04:56 |
| Story ID: | 42913 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 331 |
| Downloads: | 283 |
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