Afghans help locals with medical treatment

By 2nd Lt. Jennifer FrazerMarch 20, 2013

Afghans help locals with medical treatment
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Afghans help locals with medical treatment
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5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kevin J Muirhead, a Soldier with the Company Intelligence Support Team, 4th Battalion 9th Infantry Regiment, Combined Task Force 4-2, in-processes a member of the local community during a Medical Civic Action Program, March 14, 2013, in Kandahar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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COMBAT OUTPOST MUSHAN, Afghanistan (March 20, 2013) -- The 2nd Brigade, 1st Kandak, 205th Medical Corps of the Afghan National Army, held a Medical Civic Action Program by offering medical treatment to the local community around Mushan, March 14, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

During the Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, Afghan soldiers handed out a variety of items such as tea, hand-crank radios, candy and medical kits that contained bandages, pain relievers, antibiotic ointments, antacids and a variety of other items.

"It's a community outreach program," said Capt. Johnny Anderson, team leader for Civil Affairs Team 8112. "We've coordinated through the Afghan National Army to use our medical assets we have on hand to reach out to the community to positively affect the community."

The Afghans were supported in this operation by A Company, 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, Civil Affairs Team 8112, medics from Female Engagement Team 6, Combined Task Force 4-2, and 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment.

"Afghans have taken the lead on the program," said Anderson. "We're strictly observing and the Afghans are really running the show around here."

This MEDCAP was the second the unit has hosted in the last two months. The first brought in around 300 locals, while this one ended with about 421 being seen by the Afghan National Army.

"This was a huge success, not only because of the program, but also because of where we're at," said Anderson. "It's such a hostile part of Afghanistan, the birthplace of the Taliban."

"We've reached the people who have been heavily influenced by the Taliban by showing the positive aspects of the local governance here," Anderson added.

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