Fewer Terrorists More Healthcare

What’s another by product of locals stepping up working with Coalition Forces on routing out terrorists? Increased opportunities for locals to access healthcare. Recently Army medics from the 2-14 INF and Iraqi Army medics set up a clinic to provide healthcare to residents:

PATROL BASE DRAGON — Local residents of the area around Combined Patrol Base Dragon, on the banks of the Euphrates River, came to the base for medical treatment Aug. 7

Army medics from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., joined Iraqi medics from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division to create the impromptu clinic.

Citizens said that they felt much safer in the area – long held by terrorists – since concerned local citizens have begun working with U.S. and Iraqi forces to quell the violence.

The medics treated 100 residents from five different tribes for ailments ranging from upset stomachs to colds and coughs and did what they could for serious medical issues.

“Operations like these are key to developing a good rapport with the Iraqi civilians and tribes,” said Capt. Christopher Dominguez, a native of Grand Junction, Colo., physician’s assistant with 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT.

“It was great. These operations give us a chance to get all the medics together, and we learn a lot. We also get to see a lot of children, which is nice.”

Dominguez said the combined medical engagement was one of the most successful in the area so far, because the citizens feel safe enough to leave their homes. The service was badly needed, he said.

“Most of the people here don’t have medical care,” Dominguez said. “Hospitals in Baghdad and even Mahmudiyah are difficult to get to. We can provide a lot of assistance to them.”

When we need healthcare in this county, it’s simply a phone call away, in Iraq insurgent groups made the area so dangerous that getting to a hospital for simple things was literally hazardous to your health. As the terrorists are forced out, the cities and villages can return to normal and essential services such as the distribution of healthcare can begin to take place again.

This is how the Iraq will become a true victory, taking away the threats of violence so that the everyday functions of life can be attended to…something that will never happen is we leave now.