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Two MND–B doctors, an MND–B female physician’s assistant, an Iraqi doctor and four Iraqi medics took part in the operation and helped organize and work with the crowds while Jallel worked within the clinic, helping the visiting medical personnel provide treatment for the locals. “This was a very good exercise,” said Sgt. Maj. Zohair Noori, a medic with 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division. “There is cooperation with the people and no problems except that there’s not enough medicine sometimes.” “Future plans for the clinic consist of rebuilding it into a larger full-service hospital,” said Joliat. “A major hospital on a main road can provide the care they need here,” Noori said. “It will provide the people in all directions with care and allow an ambulance to go straight through to Tikrit or Baghdad.” Supplies and the availability of medicine and resources can still be a problem at times. A local man visited the clinic complaining of a headache he had for more than a month. He said he heard about the opportunity for assistance from Iraqi army soldiers and a city council member and received help for his affliction. Another man was diagnosed with diabetes, received some medicine and was referred to another doctor for help. Despite the problems, the Iraqi forces felt good about the event. “It’s good practice doing this, and we hope we can be successful,” said Pvt. Firas Abnoin, infantryman with 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division. “The people think it’s good to get help from the Iraqi army and Iraqi police, with the Americans here as well.” The missions will continue as MND–B soldiers work to help Iraqi forces conduct civil affairs missions. “For now, civil affairs operations are a combined effort,” said Joliat. “We show them how to do it properly. Also, we try to help through the medical phase and provide resources through reconstruction products.” “We try to help them understand that there are more ways to help the people than just by providing security,” he noted. |
