MND-B Soldiers work with the Ministry of Health to care for residents of Ghazaliyah

Photo By Spc. Joshua Ramey | BAGHDAD – An Iraqi doctor maintains a record book and cataloged the weight of newborn babies during an Iraqi-led medical operation in Baghdad's Ghazaliyah neighborhood Sunday.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.05.2006

Story by Spc. Joshua Ramey 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

by Spc. Joshua Ramey
2nd BCT PAO, 1st Armored Div.

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, worked Sunday to increase the overall quality of health care provided to Iraqi citizens at a medical operation in Baghdad's Ghazaliyah neighborhood.

Local doctors, who work at a centrally located clinic in Ghazaliyah, treated residents with support from MND-B personnel as part of Operation Together Forward.

The medical operation was the third offered to the residents of Ghazaliyah since Operation Together Forward brought Soldiers attached to 1st Armored Division into the area August 13.

This operation was notably different from those that preceded it.

"This operation (was) entirely Iraqi run," said Maj. Huy Luu, a surgeon attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn. "It was arranged by the Iraqi army. Our intention is to stand back and allow the doctors to provide their routine care, and if they have any extra needs with medications or diagnosis, we'll be able to help with that."

"This clinic can serve about 1,000 people per week," said Capt. Ray McGuire, Company A, 412th Civil Affairs Battalion. "We're including the Ministry of Health into the process of planning and speaking with the Iraqi doctors and the Iraqi Security Forces in assessing the needs of the local population."

According to 1st Bn., 23rd Inf. Regt. leaders, approximately 429 Ghazaliyah residents attended the medical event with eight local doctors providing care. The 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the Iraqi National Police provided patient screening, inner-cordon security and crowd management.

Sgt. Marie Scott, Co. A., 412th CA Bn., said that the MND-B Soldiers were able to provide basic medications, such as anti-biotics, vitamins, eye drops and basic dermatology ointments.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2006
• Date Posted: 10.05.2006 12:42
• Story ID: 7932
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ