Good Things Happening In Afghanistan

[Viper2]

I just started a similar thread dealing with Iraq, and feel for the same reason we should view one for Afghanistan as well.




COALITION BULLETIN

Better Vision for Afghan Child

Story and photos by Army Spc.James Tamez
19th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM AIRFIELD,Afghanistan –Army doctors from Coalition performed a surgery for Injured Afghan Child. in preparation to prepare him for a prosthetic eye.

Doctors from Task Force Med, 14th Combat Support Hospital, removed built-up scar tissue from the left eye of Faizal, an 8-year-old boy who lost the use of his left eye from a blast injury he received when he was 3.

“There were no complications with the surgery and the recovery went well,” said Army Maj. Ronald Allen, chief of ophthalmology, Task Force Med., 14th CSH. “We are anticipating three weeks or so for the tissue to fully heal.”

Allen said Faisal’s eye was turned inward severely. Removing the scar tissue and turning his eye to a normal position will help the prosthetic eye move easier after it is installed.

“We placed the prosthetic shell in to check the size,” said Army Capt. Eric Guzman, chief of division optometry, Task Force Med., 14th CSH. “We checked the color and pupil sizes to make sure they were a close match. The fitting was perfect. We are very happy with the result.”

Faizal still had corneal feeling in his left eye, in spite of the amount of damage, Guzman said.

“When people begin wearing a prosthetic, there is discomfort, and we wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any more pain than normal,” said Guzman. Allen said they covered the cornea with conjunctiva, the clear skin on the eye to ensure [his eye] wouldn’t be so sensitive. Faizal’s father was elated and very appreciative of the services provided for his son, Allen said.

“Surgeries like this, in this environment, “said Allen, “are very good opportunities to show the Afghan people we are here tohelp them in the difficult environment they live in.”

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Panjshir%20PRT%20medics%20visit%20remote%20Afghan% 20district.aspx

Panjshir PRT medics visit remote Afghan district

July 25, 2006
By Air Force Capt. Joe Campbell
Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Patients walked as far as six miles, and waited as long as eight hours, for treatment by Air Force medics from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team who visited the Paryan district on July 15 and 16.

The Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir Director of Health Dr. Jellani. The Paryan District police chief provided officers for escort and security for the event.

Air Force Maj. Kurt Workmaster, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team physician assistant, checks the blood pressure of an elder in the Paryan District on July 16. Three medics from the Panjshir PRT treated more than 200 patients during the Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, which was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir Director of Health Dr. Jellani. (Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Cumper)

At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Paryan is the northernmost, and has the highest elevation, of the six districts in the Panjshir Valley. Due to the rough and narrow road, it took the team more than five hours to reach the district from their headquarters in Bazarak.

“We saw the dire need in Paryan when we were here recently to do site evaluations and humanitarian assistance drop planning,” said Air Force Maj. Kurt Workmaster, Panjshir PRT physician assistant. He is a reservist deployed from Duke Field in Florida.

Paryan only has one physician at its Basic Health Clinic along with two nurses and one midwife for the district’s 38,000 residents.

“On the previous visit, I saw 70 patients in one day out of the back of a traveling vehicle and one of the clearest lessons I got out of that experience was this is not the way to go,” Workmaster said.

For the most recent mini-MEDCAP, the team set up at a private residence in a remote village to reach those hampered by the distance to the clinic. They treated women and children in the morning and men in the afternoon.

“With the help of our interpreters, we had one medic screen, triage, and collect patient vital signs while the other two performed ordered procedures and filled prescriptions,” said Air Force Senior Airman Conan Broyles, Panjshir PRT medic from Barksdale AFB, La.

The medics prepared for family medicine versus emergency medicine, a lesson they had learned on previous MEDCAPs. They set up their prescription kit accordingly.

“We mostly treated patients for arthritis, acid reflux, congestion and skin and eye irritations,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Campbell, noncommissioned officer in charge of medics. Campbell is deployed from Tyndall AFB, Fla.

Campbell added that some conditions needed further evaluation and the medics explained this to the patient or parent and often provided a note to assist with the referral.

The team saw more than 200 patients who were grateful for the visit. The medics were equally moved by the Afghans’ consideration of their well-being.

“A woman told me she prayed for the safety of the Americans every night and she had a dream that an American doctor was coming to the village,” said Shahla Hammond, Panjshir PRT interpreter. “That was very touching to all of us.”

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Parwan%20government,%20Bagram%20PRT%20build%20‘b ridge%20to%20future’.aspx?PageView=Shared

Parwan government, Bagram PRT build ‘bridge to future’
27 July 2006

By Maj. David Kurle
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

NAWAJ, PARWAN PROVINCE , Afghanistan – In the culmination of more than a year’s efforts, the Parwan deputy governor cut the ribbon on a bridge July 11 in the northern part of this province connecting Afghans to their country.

The new bridge spans a river in the mountains and was built with the future in mind as it accommodates both foot and vehicle traffic. It will connect 600 to 700 families in mountain villages to a main highway and, by extension, to the rest of Afghanistan.

Two Afghan men on crutches cross a newly constructed bridge linking the village of Nawaj and other mountain villages to a main road in Parwan Province. The bridge, an initiative of the Parwan government and supported by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction team is the first step in a transportation and flood control project for this area of Parwan. (Photo by Air Force Maj. David Kurle, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs)

“This is a very great day,” said Parwan Deputy Governor Gulam Sedeeq Sedeeq as he cut the ribbon to open the bridge. “Now that you have this bridge you have to make sure the bridge is maintained. You must take care of it.”

The bridge is part of a bigger project that will provide a transportation system and flood control in this mountainous region. The initiative is part of the National Solidarity Program, a reconstruction movement by the people of Afghanistan to rebuild after decades of war.

The new bridge, made from concrete and steel, replaced a footbridge where two people were killed last year, said Deputy Governor Sedeeq. It will provide a safe route for village children to travel back and forth to school.

“The people of this village, from the Jihad to the resistance of the Taliban, have been through a lot of hardships,” he said. “Of course it benefits the students, because they can now get to class on time.”
The Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team, led by Air Force Lt. Col. Donald Koehler, oversaw the contract on the project and organized the $38,000 in funding to complete it.

“The people of Nawaj are the reason this is here and this is their bridge,” Koehler said. “This bridge is a bridge to the future that will connect them with greater access to medical care and markets for their goods.”

There are 12 PRTs in Afghanistan , which perform security, governmental interfacing with the provincial governors, and lead the reconstruction efforts in their assigned province. Six of the teams are led by the Air Force, which became involved this year when the Army asked for help.

“Today’s the conclusion to a long process of opening this bridge,” said Army Capt. Don Johnson, the PRT member in charge of the bridge project. “It’s just one step in rebuilding the infrastructure in the Parwan Province. “It just shows the people their government still looks out for them. ‘

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Coalition%20doctors%20deliver%20Afghan%20baby%20gi rl%20at%20PRT.aspx

Coalition doctors deliver Afghan baby girl at PRT
By Sgt. Cain S. Claxton, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition medical providers performed an emergency Cesarean-section delivering a healthy baby girl and preserving the 22-year-old Afghan mother’s life at the Tarin Khowt Provincial Reconstruction Team clinic April 23.

“We received a phone call from a U.S. Special Forces medic saying there was a young woman who was in the late stages of her pregnancy with preeclampsia,” said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Johnson, the PRT’s chief surgeon. “They called and asked if I could treat this.”

Preeclampsia, a syndrome which may cause seizures and requires immediate delivery of a baby during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, threatened the mother’s life and the health of the unborn child, the surgeon said.

A C-section was the mother’s only option for delivery.

During the flight from Char Chineh, the woman’s condition worsened as she began having seizures. The medical team on the ground at the Tarin Kwot PRT acted quickly. Johnson credited the successful delivery of the baby girl to the actions of Army Cpt. John Murphy, a nurse anesthetist, and Army Maj. Scott Shawen, an orthopedic surgeon.

“It was a stroke of brilliance that Dr. Shawen pulled us all together right away so everyone could share what they knew,” Johnson said. “Everybody had a little bit of experience in this; none of us had a lot.”

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Provincial%20Reconstruction%20Team%20Visits%20Kapi sa%20Women's%20Center.aspx

Provincial Reconstruction Team Visits Kapisa Women's Center
By Air Force Capt. Mark D.Gibson
Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team

KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Members of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team visited the Kapisa Women's Center in Mahmood Raqi April 17 to deliver humanitarian civil assistance including shoes, clothing, personal hygiene packs, food and radios.

During the visit, members of the PRT met with Abdulla Naike, the Kapisa Women's Center assistant director. Naike said ten women currently work full time in the office and approximately 60 females from surrounding villages volunteer.

Currently, the women's center cares for more than 600 women, offering a wide variety of assistance from medical examinations to educational and financial counseling.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Cassandra Cantu, reconnaissance and security specialist for the Bagram PRT, believes the dedication of the staff at the center demonstrates a strong willingness to improve woman's rights issues in Afghanistan.

"I think this is a really positive step forward in promoting the equality of women in the Kapisa province," Cantu said. "I am honored to be part of history in the making."

Naike also discussed services provided at the center and said he was thrilled to learn that Kapisa health and human services officials have arranged for the use of the Egyptian Field Hospital at Bagram Airfield in the near future.

Kapisa Governor Murad has supplied the center with computers so women can learn technological skills, according to the province’s department of education. Naike said he and his staff are excited about beginning basic computer skills training once funding is acquired.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Medical%20teams%20educate,%20treat%20villagers.asp x

Medical teams educate, treat villagers

14 Aug. 2006
By Sgt. Nina J. Ramon
345th Mobile Pubic Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces, to include the Bagram Cooperative Medical Assistance team and New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction team, conducted a joint medical civil action program July 22 to 29 in the Panjab and Waras districts of Bamyan Province.

During the visits to the Tarapass and Petabjoy valley systems, the combined team stopped at local medical centers before traveling to schools to provide medical support to villagers.

Navy Petty Officer Stephanie Baldanado, medical assistant, checks the heart rate of an elderly Afghan woman. The Bagram Cooperative Medical Assistance team conducted a joint medical civil action program with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Panjab and Waras Districts, Bamyan Province from July 22 to 29. Baldanado lives in San Diego Calif. (Photo by Sgt. Nina J. Ramon, 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

The medical centers visited included Panjab District Hospital, the biggest hospital in the area, and the Shinya Ashkarat Clinic of Basic Health Care.

“We provide training best needed for problems and concerns in the area,” said Army Maj. Anthony Littrell, CMA director from Samford, N.C. “The area is inaccessible nine months out of the year due to harsh weather conditions. Because of this, non-urgent cases can be treated at individual homes by community health workers.”

Coalition medical professionals spoke with the doctors and midwives, discussing ways to improve care in the area, particularly during the harsh seasons.

New Zealand team medics mentored community health workers to improve basic first-aid skills so community health workers can take those basic skills into the villages to educate the people and offer medical assistance.

“We are here to assess the health care needs of the local population – people who are not able to visits clinics,” said Littrell. “We’re also providing humanitarian aid supplies including hygiene, school and first-aid kits, along with vegetable oil and bags of beans, rice and salt.”

The medical teams also traveled to various schools, including the Tarapass and Binigaw schools, where local villagers received basic medical checkups and treatment. The team treated more than 5,500 patients over a three-day visit.

Along with treating villagers in each area, CMA team veterinarians vaccinated and de-wormed roughly 3,000 animals.

According to Army Maj. Jessica McCoy, the CMA team’s veterinarian from Wellesley, Mass., an average herd consists of 60 to 80 animals.

“Everything went smoothly,” said New Zealand Maj. Rob Francis, Kiwi team patrol commander. “The only thing that posed a challenge was the large number of people that showed up, which is a good problem to have.”

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/CENTCOM’s%20top%20NCO%20praises%20Afghanistan.as px

CENTCOM’s top NCO praises Afghanistan

11 August 2006

By Spc. Carina M. Garcia
345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KABUL, Afghanistan – The U.S. Central Command’s top enlisted leader visited Afghanistan from Aug. 5 to 8 and praised the country for its progress in rebuilding and reconstructing, and developing its armed forces over the past five years.

Just a month away from the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill toured bases in Afghanistan and talked to deployed troops while here.

Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill, Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Central Command, speaks to members of the 209th Corps of the Afghan National Army on Aug. 6 during his visit to Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Carina M. Garcia, 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Brownhill is a principal advisor to Gen. John Abizaid, CENTCOM commander, on all matters concerning joint and combined integration, utilization and sustainment for more than 230,000 U.S. and Coalition forces serving in 27 countries.

“I’ve been coming in and out of Afghanistan for nearly the last five years,” said Brownhill. “I can remember, how we as a coalition, had to go in and oust the Taliban and get al-Qaeda on the run. If you just look at the general condition of Afghanistan, I see more and more openness on the streets. I also see prosperity and vendors, shops and merchants.”

Nearly five years ago, he said, Afghanistan was unstable with Taliban as the ruling form of government that gave free reign to al Qaeda. Though Coalition troops still find themselves in skirmishes with Taliban and other extremists, the majority of service members are involved in rebuilding reconstruction efforts.
“I am seeing more greenery and agriculture right now at this time of year that I have ever in the five years that I’ve come to the country,” Brownhill said. “That means that projects like wells, irrigation and infrastructure are effective.”

During his trip, Brownhill emphasized the importance of building up the Afghan National Army. The ANA works in tandem with U.S. and NATO forces to help plan and execute operations.
“For an army that is really only four years old, and fighting an enemy at the same time, those are indications that progress really is being made and that the contribution of many countries has helped Afghanistan get to this point,” Brownhill said.

Brownhill spent two days of his travels with Sgt. Maj. Roshan Safi, the first sergeant major of the ANA. Brownhill said he saw firsthand how villagers accepted Roshan as a representative of the changes that have taken place the past five years.

“I watched carefully as the sergeant major of the army in his full uniform was walking down the street and there was a gathering wherever he went,” said Brownhill. “People of all ages wanted to talk to him and shake his hand. That’s an indication of respect by those people for the ANA.”

Brownhill said when you spend time with somebody like Sgt. Maj. Roshan who fought in the mountains, who fought for a piece of land, who fought the Taliban face-to-face right there and then, to see the progress through his eyes is an incredible experience.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/TF%20Warrior%20brings%20medical%20aid%20to%20Afgha n%20villages.aspx

TF Warrior brings medical aid to Afghan villages

7 August 2006

By Capt. Lawrence Sekajipo
2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Coalition and Afghan doctors conducted a three-day village medical outreach operation in July, offering much needed medical aid to various villages in Northern Deh Chopan District, Zabul province.

The 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Warrior, out of Fort Polk, La., together with a medical and veterinary team from the 94th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Echo Company also out of Fort Polk, conducted the VMO.

Army Spc. Melissa Hykes and Army Staff Sgt. Elena Varela, both with the 94th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Echo Company, administers de-worming medication to animals during a village medical outreach operation in the village of Larzab, Deh Chopan District recently. The VMO team treated animals and distributed enough de-worming medication for nearly 430 animals. The de-worming medication was to facilitate the fight against worms, one of the most common sicknesses for animals in the province. (Photo by Pfc. Kyle Nelson)

Security for this operation was provided by the Afghan National Army and Creek Company, TF Warrior combat team.

The medical team treated approximately 450 Afghans in Larzab and 160 in Baylough. The veterinarian team treated nearly 430 farm animals and distributed de-worming medication to all of them. It has been known that animals in this area are susceptible to worms, which could cause a serious threat if not controlled.

A number of family humanitarian aid packages, toys, shoes and clothing were distributed by a civil affairs team during this VMO. The humanitarian aid supplies were donated by friends and family members of the Soldiers. Reebok International also donated sneakers to TF Warrior mainly to be distributed to the children of Afghanistan.

The two villages sit in a mountainous and rugged terrain only accessible by foot or helicopter, making it difficult for residents to seek medical assistance.

Local leaders and elders have expressed their medical concerns to government officials, such as Zabul Governor Delbar Arman. With a population of approximately 5,000 and a low number of doctors available, the residents of these two villages hope that VMOs are conducted more frequently. (should have a source; assertion without attribution)

Currently, the nearest hospital for these residents is approximately 13 hours away in Qalat City, which makes it almost impossible at times to take care of medical emergencies.

“The locals seriously need medical care in this area. They trusted and sought our care. We are happy to provide whatever care we can,” said Army Capt. Yuri O. Rivera, physician assistant with TF Warrior. “It was a good turnout even though this is a known Taliban sanctuary.”

During a local Shura or village meeting, 75 local village leaders addressed their needs to improve roads, schools and clinics to government officials and Coalition forces present.

This Shura was hosted by Deh Chopan District Chief Anwar Jan, Afghan National Army Col. Abdul Razak Safi with the 2nd Brigade of the 205th Hero Corps, and TF Warrior Commander Army Lt. Col. Frank Sturek.

To improve the area, ANA soldiers and Creek Company Soldiers are currently working on establishing a forward operating base, which will be used by the ANA to assist Zabul residents.

According to TF Warrior officials, 12 VMOs in seven of the 12 districts have been conducted since March of 2006. Their medical team has treated approximately 3,100 Afghans. Their dental team has treated over 120 patients and conducted 15 tooth extractions. The optometry team has treated 300 patients, and the veterinarian team has treated 3,300 animals.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/PRT%20breaks%20ground%20on%20$3%20million%20road%2 0project.aspx

PRT breaks ground on $3 million road project

28 Sept. 2006
By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction team officially started a new road system Sept. 28 in the Kapisa province that will connect all districts and the provincial capitol.

The contract is the first of its kind in Afghanistan and was awarded to Shams Construction Company of Kabul during a conference with the PRT Sept. 18.
Canadian Brig. Gen. Daniel Pepin cuts the ribbon on the Kapisa road system project in Afghanistan Sept. 29. The $3 million project is the highest construction project ever awarded in the country. When completed, it will be the only province to have all districts and the capitol connected by roads. The general is the deputy commanding general for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos)

"Today is a great day for the people of Kapisa, as well as the people of Afghanistan," said Canadian Brig. Gen. Daniel Pepin to a large audience of religious, political and military leaders. General Pepin is the deputy commanding general for all reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

"This road is significant," said Army Maj. Donald Johnson, director of Civil Military Operations for the Bagram PRT. "This will be the first time people will be able to travel to all the districts across the province, bringing commerce, security and stability to the region. Our goal is to aid in making them more self-sufficient and a future partner in the international arena."

The Kapisa province, which is located close to Bagram AB, is home to approximately 450,000 residents and is one of two provinces that work hand-in-hand with the Bagram PRT. The other province is the nearby Parwan province.

A mix of civilians, U.S. military and coalition forces, the PRT works to promote conditions for self-sufficiency, enduring prosperity and a secure, stable environment. The PRTs are an off-shoot of humanitarian operations units created by the Army in 2002. From wells to schools to hydro-electric projects, the teams are helping rebuild Afghanistan.

Project by project, the teams work throughout Afghanistan with the purpose of bringing stability and prosperity to the region. They do not do the work themselves, but rather with local contractors who then empower villagers in the area to do the work. The completed projects then truly belong to the village instead of just being given to them by coalition forces.

"This is your road, to be built by your people," General Pepin said. "Roads bring people and people bring business. Business improves life for everyone."

The road opening was just one of the two goodwill projects the Bagram PRT accomplished that day. Another was a large food donation, part of the "Meals for Mullahs" program the team has taken on. The goal is to give the food to local religious leaders for distribution to the surrounding villages. The food donation this day will feed several hundred people in the province.

"All villages in the province have Mullahs, or religious leaders," said Tech. Sgt. Derril McDonald, a structures journeyman from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., who volunteered to be a member of the PRT.

"People follow the Mullahs; it's the easiest way for us to get food to them," Sergeant McDonald said.

[Elrathin]

Afghan civilians stop terror attack at U.S. base

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Two civilians thwarted an attempted terrorist attack Tuesday when a vehicle loaded with explosives attempted to crash through the front gate of a U.S. base in the Afghan capital, according to the U.S. military.

The two men, an interpreter and a security guard, dragged the apparent suicide bomber from the vehicle before he could detonate explosives, said Col. Tom Collins, the chief spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"I think it's a pretty amazing and heroic event," Collins said.

He said that at about 9 a.m. Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET Monday) a driver crashed his vehicle into Camp Phoenix, the base where the Afghan National Army and police are trained. The driver reached for what appeared to be a cord to detonate a bomb, he said.

"Amazingly, a couple of Afghans who just happened to be on the scene there realized what was happening," Collins said.

"Anyone's inclination would have been to run away but these guys are genuine heroes," Collins said.

The area was immediately cordoned off while authorities waited for a bomb disposal team.

During the attempt to disarm it, the device went off. It's unclear how much or what kind of explosive material was used, Collins said. No U.S. or coalition troops were injured.

Thought this one was worth mentioning.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/16/afghanistan.terrorist/index.html

[Viper2]

Elrathin:
Thought this one was worth mentioning.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/1...index.html

It is, and thank you very much for the addition. I was surprised to see it was on CNN, as they usually only report the negative.

[Viper2]

http://192.31.19.143/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Historic%20MEDCAP%20Provides%20Care%20to%20Korenga l.aspx

Historic MEDCAP Provides Care to Korengal

By Marine Capt. Dan Huvane
Task Force Spartan public affairs

JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Defying estimates of a low turnout, more than 6,300 patients were treated during the course of an historic six-day medical civic assistance program conducted by the Afghan National Army and Coalition Forces in Kunar Province ’s Korengal Valley recently.

The MEDCAP was the first ever conducted in the Korengal Valley, long regarded as a sanctuary for enemy fighters before Operation Mountain Lion established a permanent military presence and provided security for the region. That distinction was not lost on the medical staff, comprised of Afghans and Americans, who provided care at a transformed lumber yard established as a Coalition outpost by the U.S. Marines of Task Force Lava only days earlier.

“Bringing peace and medication, taking care of the elders and all of the people, that’s the most important thing,” said Dr. Nazirullah Rahimi, brigade surgeon for 3rd Brigade, 201st ANA Corps.

“The people here are poor and don’t have access to health care,” added the doctor, a graduate of the Medical University of Kabul.

Overseeing the MEDCAP alongside Rahimi was Army Lt. Col. Edward Michaud, director of the Cooperative Medical Assistance team, Combined Joint Task Force - 76. Michaud said the true success story of this phase of the operation was Afghans providing care for their fellow countrymen.

“It’s very important, and absolutely, the people notice the fact that their soldiers are providing security, their medics are providing triage and helping with the treatment of children, and their physicians are seeing patients,” said Michaud, whose hometown is Weston, Mass. “Ours are there helping and present, but what they perceive is important.”

Michaud said the success of the MEDCAP also impacts the Afghans working within it, as they prove their legitimacy in the eyes of the people.

ANA medic Noorula said he felt “very good” about being a part of the first such program in the region. Noorula, who spent much of the six days administering medicine to children, said he enjoys working as a medic and hopes to continue in the medical field.

“The most important thing (the people of this region) need is the prevention part, like de-worming,” he said. “Besides that, most of the people have stomach pain because of digestive problems.”

The de-worming station, where children were first sent when they arrived at the MEDCAP, served as an example of basic preventative medicine in action.

Worms are endemic in this part of the world, and if not treated, can result in further health problems, according to Navy Lt. Cdr. Tom Davie, Medical Service Corps officer from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. As a reward for taking medication, the children received candy and vitamins.

Adult patients, who went first to the triage station while the children received de-worming medication, also attended hygiene instruction. They each received a kit containing basic hygiene implements. Following the class, those who needed a physician consultation could see a doctor for evaluation.

“We enjoy getting medical aid out to people who usually aren’t able to get it,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephanie Baldonado, assigned to the cooperative medical assistance team deployed from Camp Pendleton , Calif.

Other Coalition medical staff members shared a similar outlook, reflecting that the program is as much about building trust as it is about providing immediate care.

“It’s not so much medicine as it is prevention,” said Navy Cmdr. Sandra Hearn, CMA team member and Chesapeake , Va. , native. “I think what we’re doing here is making a big difference in having the villagers feel that we are friendly, that we can help them in building schools and roads and other projects, and if we continue to teach the Afghan medical providers to care for them, to take care of hygiene and sanitation, that will improve their health overall.”

Afghans who attended the MEDCAP were entitled to receive humanitarian assistance before leaving the outpost known simply as “the lumber yard.” Between towering stacks of timber, they passed ANA soldiers, U.S. Marines and U.S. Army Soldiers directing them to the distribution point. Items given out included blankets, tarps, metal stoves, grain, beans, rice, cooking oil, tea, sugar, and backpacks for children.

“It gives the elders and villagers a level of trust and confidence in their military, to receive aid directly from them,” said Army Maj. Dennis Edwards, civil affairs officer for 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “The thing that was really significant about this MEDCAP, and its associated humanitarian aid distribution, is that it was completely run by the ANA.”

It will be the ability of Afghan medical professionals, both military and civilian, to care for the people that will determine success in improving the region’s health care, Michaud said.

“The group we’re working with now has run MEDCAPs on their own,” Michaud said. “We’ve worked with this group before in Nangarhar Province , and they’re getting pretty good at this.

Their level of care is still not quite with what we do, but they’re definitely improving, he said.

“If we can provide a clinic here, the people will be grateful,” added Rahimi, echoing a familiar theme. “Prevention, especially with digestive system problems, is the biggest need of the people here.”

The initial effort to provide medical care to a previously isolated region has resulted in such a grateful response, according to Michaud.

“We have lots of patients, particularly the elders, women and children, who tell us they are praying for us, and have even been bringing food to us,” said Michaud.

“I would say it’s had a very positive impact on the people, based on what we’ve seen.”

[Stoner]

Thanks for posting these articles, Viper. The truth is there is far more good going on in Iraq and Afghanistan than most think. Unfortunately the drive-by media with their liberal views only want to show you the bad things. Hence this false notion that Iraq and Afghanistan are failures.

[Elrathin]

Unfortunately the drive-by media with their liberal views only want to show you the bad things.


Funny that your comment is already refuted since the article I posted on the last page is from CNN.

[Stoner]

Funny that your comment is already refuted since the article I posted on the last page is from CNN.


Show me where I stated that every article CNN prints is biased. I'll wait.

Even the most left-leaning networks (CNN) will feature positive articles once in a blue moon. Unfortunately the vast majority of their stories are extremely bias and partisan. Christ, just look at their line-up of hosts and contributers...Dobbs, Blitzer, Mathews, Crowley and Carville.

By the way, is it me or does James Carville look like something that flew out of the Arc of the Covenant?