1-15 Inf. Helps Iraqis During Free Health Clinic

1st Lt. Shawn M. Thompson, battalion physician assistant, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, checks an Iraqi boy’s breathing July 28, in Wahida. Photo by Staff Sgt. Carlos J. Lazo, 3rd Inf. Div.

By Staff Sgt. Carlos J. Lazo, 3rd Inf. Div.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY — Using a school in the city of al Wahida, Soldiers from a Fort Bragg, N.C., Civil Affairs battalion attached to the 3rd Infantry Divsion set up a one-day clinic for Iocal residents July 28.

Known as a cooperative medical engagement, the operation requires Coalition and Iraqi forces to come together and provide medical treatment in prescribed areas, said Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Weston, special operations medical noncommissioned officer, Civil Affairs Team Alpha 712th, Company A, 97th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Physician assistants and unit medics out of COP Cleary diagnosed and provided medicine to those in need.

“It was open to anybody, anybody who came,” said Capt. Teri Gurrola, physician assistant, Company C, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Citizens of all ages showed up seeking treatment with various illnesses and injuries.

“We’re able to treat pretty much everything they bring us, with the exception of dentistry issues and minor surgeries,” said Weston, a native of Tacoma, Wash. Weston attributes the unit’s broad capabilities to comprehensive pre-deployment planning.

Iraqi police attended the CME to assist the Company C Soldiers with maintaining security. Interpreters helped bridge the language barrier by translating for the Iraqis and explaining the correct doses of medicine required. They also brought their families for medical care.

Local Iraqi medical personnel also participated in the cooperative medical engagement.

“We had a couple of nursing students who came out,” Weston said. “We arranged for those (personnel) to come out through the mayor of al Wahida.

“The people are very ready to come and be treated by Coalition Forces medical providers, and that’s great,” Weston said. “But at the same time we want them to believe that their own providers and government can take care of them as well.”

Medical personnel examined nearly 150 people during the engagement, and each physician treated 45-50 patients.

“Almost every person who left came over and literally touched me to thank me, and I knew that they appreciated us being there,” Gurrola said.

This is the fourth such operation the brigade has conducted, with an average of 150 to 200 people showing up each time to seek treatment, Weston said.

Along with the treatment and medicine, children in the community were provided with school supplies, toothbrushes and soccer balls.