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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (March 29, 2008) - Government
officials of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan held opening
ceremonies for a new medical clinic, district center and
refurbished school in Khakrez, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan,
March 26. Coalition forces, who facilitated the development of
these projects, were also in attendance.
The Khakrez District Chief Haji Wahab and Dr. Zamai, district
health officer, presided over both ceremonies. The district chief
and local government officials performed the ribbon-cutting
ceremony for the new medical clinic, which will provide services to
approximately 23,000 people.
"This new facility will help to accommodate more patients,"
Zamai said.
The clinic opened its doors to offer local nationals free
medical treatment. Zamai and Coalition medics treated approximately
50 patients on opening day. Coalition forces also resupplied the
clinic with medical supplies to support continued operations. Zamai
said he will continue to work through Kandahar health officials to
get all the equipment needed to have the clinic 100 percent
operational.
"The people were very pleased to have these facilities built,
especially the clinic. It also provided jobs to several local
nationals," said a Coalition civil affairs officer.
After finishing the ceremony at the clinic, the IROA leadership
moved to the new Khakrez District Center to conduct its
inauguration. The center will serve as the official district
facility to conduct civil matters and provides a direct link to
provincial leaders.
"The IROA is improving their response to our requests and the
people want to continue to support the GIRoA," Wahab said.
In addition, the district chief stated that the people were very
pleased with the refurbishing of the school located in the Zaylabad
Village. Wahab stressed the need for a road network from Khakrez to
Kandahar to help the local economy increase both jobs and
accessibility to markets.
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