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FOB DELTA, Iraq (May 21, 2008) - Coalition forces provided
medical care and supplies to more than 200 people during a medical
assistance visit (MEDAV) in the Zuwarijat district of al-Kut, Iraq,
May 19.
Medical care was provided by local Iraqi doctors, Georgian
doctors from the 1st Georgian Infantry Brigade, a Salvadoran doctor
and dentist, along with paramedics from the Cuscatlan Battalion and
medics from Company C, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, from Fort
Stewart, Ga.
Treated patients received medication for their conditions and
basic hygiene supplies.
Iraqi security forces and Soldiers of the 511th Military Police
Company, from Fort Drum, N.Y., provided security.
The 511th MP Co. medics also gave a hand with the MEDAV.
It brought medical aid to people who are otherwise too poor to
afford care and provided an opportunity for coalition and Iraqi
doctors to work side-by-side, said Capt. Hayder Ali Adnan, an Iraqi
policeman.
"It is difficult to put together that big of an operation," said
Sgt. Gopal Singh, one of the pre-screening medics, and the
noncommissioned officer in charge of the Company C element. "There
was a wide variety of conditions sent through, and the coalition
doctors really came together to treat them."
Singh's impression of the people was one of hope.
"It didn't matter what they'd been told before," he said. "They
thought we could help them. They were very friendly, and even when
we couldn't help, they weren't hostile. One old gentleman even
reached in to where I was handing out medicine and gave me a hug
and a kiss on the cheek."
The Zuwarijat district has not always been so welcoming,
though.
"Historically, it was a Jaysh al-Mahdi stronghold," said Maj.
Stacy Gerber, 214th Fires Brigade civil and military operations
officer. "Iraqi security forces recently opened three security
stations there, reaching out to residents who had been threatened
by criminal elements and neglected by the government of Iraq."
Since entering the area, ISF have seen a steady growth in
receptiveness to their presence from the local population.
Adnan said at first citizens were afraid, but soon they saw how
the ISF was securing their area and began bringing them water, tea
and food.
"Today's MEDAV shows the capability for Iraqi security forces,
coalition forces and the government of Iraq to enter a district and
provide needed care to the residents," Gerber said. "No attacks
were made against our forces today."
Singh agreed to the event success.
"Firsthand, this was the most amazing thing I've seen," Singh
said. "Today, we couldn't tell that this had been a hostile area.
If this is what it takes to get the Iraqi infrastructure going,
I'll do as many I need to do."
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