30 Dec 2007
Photo - Col. Nabiullah, Afghan National Army Corps physician assistant, explains the instructions and dosage for medicine given during an ISAF medical outreach in Kushamond, Paktika Province, recently.
KABUL, Afghanistan – ISAF and Afghan National Army forces provided medical and veterinarian assistance to the people and animals in Yousef Khel and Kushamond villages, Paktika Province recently.
ISAF’s Sharana PRT, the Polish Battle Group, ANA, 203rd ANA Corps and non-governmental organization providers, provided medical supplies, clothing and medical treatment for more than 800 Afghans.
The combined effort gave local doctors and the ANA an opportunity to learn a higher level of medical care and establish a better patient rapport.
“I treated patients with headaches, body aches, gastro-intestinal problems and skin diseases,” said Capt. Tammy Lutz, Force Pacemaker physician assistant. The most common illness treated however, was the cold, she mentioned.
Qudertullah, 14, helped his father, a local pharmacist, pass out medications.
“We have big hope for (ISAF) forces; we are in need of more schools and medical clinics,” he said. “I hope they bring peace and hope to Afghanistan.”
Veterinary assistance was also given in Kushamond. ISAF forces de-wormed more than 600 sheep during the visit. Veterinary technicians helped de-worm the herds of sheep to prevent humans from contracting diseases from the animals. The treatment also helps put a stop to gastrointestinal worms in goats which cause an economic and nutritional hardship in Afghan communities.
ISAF’s direct provision of medical care and partnering with local civilian doctors creates long-term medical improvements and increases the healthcare capacity and self-sufficiency of the Afghan healthcare system.
Contact Information ISAF Public Affairs Office
Tel: +93 (0)79 51 1155 -
Mobile: 0093 (0) 799 55 8291
pressoffice@hq.isaf.nato.int - www.nato.int/isaf/
