Troops offer medical care to Iraqis

by Travis Hayes
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FOB ISKAN, Iraq (June 25, 2008) – More than 200 adults and 80 children received medical care during a combined medical engagement at al Herea School in Farisiyah, June 21. Eight Iraqi medics from 33rd Brigade, 8th Iraqi army division, and surgeons and medics from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, hosted the medical engagement for residents of Farisiyah and Jurf as Sahkr. “It always puts a smile on my face to see people in need receive proper care,” said Staff Sgt. Luke Henry, a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-7th Inf. Regt. “I believe these combined medical engagements are what we need to keep doing because it’s these children that we treat who will remember us when they’re older and in a position to make decisions.”

In addition to the medical care, the Iraqi medics provided preventive medical classes to those who attended the medical engagement. The Iraqi medics conducted classes on the importance of washing hands, boiling water and personal hygiene. Mohammed, an Iraqi medic, explained how boiling water would kill germs, making it healthier for them to drink. After the class, those who needed medical care were able to see a doctor. Members of the civil affairs team from Forward Operating Base Iskan also handed out Beanie Babies to children and distributed more than 500 humanitarian aid packages to families during the medical engagement.

Soldiers usher in residents from Farisiyah and Jurf as Sahkr June 21 during a combined medical engagement. More than 200 adults and 80 children received medical care and humanitarian aid packages during the event.

Source: CENTCOM.

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