BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- A young Iraqi girl receives free school supplies and toys before leaving the medical clinic here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell)
Posted on 12/23/2005 11:41:54 AM PST by SandRat
12/23/2005 - BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- The 447th Air Expeditionary Group has teemed with members of the 48th Brigade Combat Team and Charlie Company, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, to provide medical care near the Radwaniya Civil Military Operations Center.
Soldiers constructed the clinic by refurbishing an existing building. The clinic addresses an urgent need of the people living to the South and West of Baghdad for medical care.
“The area is poor, rural, and the Iraqi government currently lacks the resources to supply desperately needed medical services,” said Maj. Mark Cuttle, C/490 CA commander. “In the face of this need the clinic has stepped forward and is filling the void.”
The clinic had been staffed with medical personnel from the 48 BCT and the 5th Special Forces Group. But operational needs caused the Army to step back and offer the Air Force an opportunity to assist.
Sather Air Base personnel here were eager to help and jumped at the opportunity right away.
“I see this as a great opportunity to show the humanity of the American military,” said Dr. (Col.) Salvatore Lombardi, 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron commander. Since opening, the clinic has averaged roughly 25 to 30 patients a day, except during Ramadan, a major Muslim religious holiday.
The clinic is currently open three days a week for three hours, and operates on a walk-in basis providing medical services to all Iraqis, regardless of tribe affiliation or religious preference.
The 447th EMEDS has seen more than 150 patients since they began assisting the Army Nov. 10.
“Providing quality medical care is what we do for all our patients,” said Dr. Lombardi, “but I also see this as an excellent opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of our Iraqi neighbors outside the wire.”
That sentiment was echoed by one of the flight surgeons who volunteered to work at the clinic.
“The clinic provides an opportunity to build a sense of trust between some Iraqis and Americans,” said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Randy J. Guliuzza, chief of Aerospace Medicine. “It also provides the possibility to influence a future generation of Iraqis. By touching one life at a time, the hope is to prevent future anger and violence, particularly toward Americans.”
Providing quality medical help to people who have essentially no access to any type of medical care is another reason Dr. Guliuzza chose to volunteer.
“In a few hours, I am able to help people find relief from problems that have hurt them for a long time,” said Dr. Guliuzza. “For example, many Americans have been able to get relief from chronic reflux disease, or heartburn, with some education and use of the newer medications.
“With treatment, more serious diseases can also be prevented,” the doctor said. “I am able to help these people, most of whom are very poor, see that same improvement in their quality of life.”
Patients suffer from a variety of illnesses and injuries, according to Major Cuttle. “The most common conditions are chronic respiratory conditions, orthopedic injuries and ear problems in children,” he said.
The 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron saw a need where not only they, but base volunteers could become involved as well.
“Captain Morin (447th EMEDS) brought to my attention some minor projects including some drainage work for the parking lots, minor heating/air conditioning work, plumbing repairs and some small carpentry projects that would really improve quality of life for the clinic patrons,” said 2nd Lt. Jeffrey England, 447th ECES. “One specific project we are taking on, and I think will be a big hit, is the construction of some playground equipment for the Iraqi children.”
According to Lieutenant England, some of the work for the playground won’t require expert craftsmen so they are hoping to get a lot of volunteers from across the base to help out.
“Where we really need volunteers is in spreading pea gravel around the playground and landscaping,” said Lt. England, “volunteers will also be needed for painting, resurfacing the floor and other small projects.”
There are real needs being met here that have to be told according to Major Cuttle, which he summed it up in the words of the poet Pindar, “Unsung, the noblest deed will die.”
CUTENESS ALERT!
Just darling. Thanks, SandRat
With Beanie Baby!
The bas@#%&$! How could they be so cruel!
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Bump!
Clearly, she is being terrorized(Kerry) by Nazis(Durbin) in a broken down Army(Murtha).
bump
What a little angel. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks.
Good Stuff ~ Bump!
Merry Christmas Sandrat
Another example of the evil American agenda in Iraq ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1548671/posts
; )
How dare we impose health and happiness on these people!
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