Free medical clinic builds ISF legitimacy in Karmah

By Staff Sgt. Tanya Thomas, 4th AAB, 3rd ID, USD-C Public AffairsSeptember 16, 2010

4th AAB assists in free medical clinic in Karmah
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Private First Class Charity Weldon, a medic with Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, United States Division-Center, checks vitals of a Karmah, Iraq, resident during a combined medical engagement between U.S. for... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Free medical clinic builds ISF legitimacy in Karmah
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vanguard Soldiers assist in free medical clinic in Karmah
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Leong (left), surgeon assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division - Center, treats women and children at a free clinic during an Iraqi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KARMAH, Iraq - Hundreds of Karmah, Iraq, residents received free medical care during a combined medical engagement between Iraqi and U.S. forces, Sept. 7.

Soldiers with 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division - Center, joined counterparts assigned to the 1st Iraqi Army Division and Karmah Police Department who hosted the event that afforded some citizens their first trip to the doctor's office.

"About a good 10 percent of the amilies said that they have never seen a health care provider before," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Leong, battalion surgeon with 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th AAB. "The people we saw today left with a lot of smiles on their faces."

Lieutenant Colonel Leong and Pfc. Charity Weldon, a medic with Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th AAB, provided medical assessments for women and children while Iraqi Army doctors treated male patients and organized a pharmacy at the free clinic. In addition, Iraqi Army Soldiers and Iraqi Police officers distributed 500 food packages containing rice, flour, sugar, powdered milk and cooking oil, as well as school supplies and soccer balls to those who attended.

Lieutenant Colonel Leong said with the change in the Iraqi Government in transition, events like the ISF-led medical engagement in Karmah helped gain Iraqi citizens' trust.

"This was an opportunity for the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police-as representatives of the central government-to be seen and for the local population to realize that they were actually there to help," he said. "It's a new concept for them, but it's a very important one."

"They provided tremendous security; it was very well organized and the patient flow was great," Lt. Col. Leong said. "I'm really impressed. The Iraqi (Security Forces) are doing great work."

Private First Class Weldon said she agreed with Lt. Col. Leong and shared similar sentiments.

"Today I was amazed," she said. "I wasn't really sure what to expect, but we saw hundreds of people, so it was a great turnout. I know these people have never really received care like this before; some of them have never even gone to a doctor before. This is probably their first experience being able to come to a medical facility, receive medications that they've never been able to have-just simple things that we take for granted."