1-15 Medic Helps Child

1-15 Medic Helps Child
By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs
May 29, 2007 - 5:39:35 PM

Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – A badly burned infant was provided treatment at the Salman Pak hospital Friday by a 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Civil Affairs Team medic during a medical facility assessment.

While talking with the hospital’s ambulance drivers, several hospital workers rushed up to Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Smith, 34, San Antonio, and took him to a small room where an 18-month-old boy was being kept.

The child, who had second degree burns over 80 percent of his body, was suffering from dehydration and having difficulty breathing.

Smith and two of the hospital’s two doctor’s assistants removed dead tissue, cleared the child’s airway, and gave the child formula to rehydrate him as the child’s parents, three aunts and grandmother watched.

“I’ve done a follow-up on the child, and he is doing better,” said Smith. “The infection looks like it is decreasing so I am happy. The child will be scarred, but he will live, so I’m very happy.”

Smith showed the two doctor’s assistants, whom he has befriended, how to apply the treatments the child will need over the following weeks. He also supplied the child with badly needed antibiotics.

In addition to the assistants’ daily home treatment, Smith plans to check on the child weekly. “The people here are very thankful for everything we have done to help,” said Smith. “We are very welcome here and the people here appreciate that we are helping make Salman Pak a safer more secure place.”