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11th MEU provides humanitarian assistance to needy Iraqis
Marines, sailors and soldiers of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) conducted a Humanitarian Assistance Operation, which provided medical and dental treatment to more than 115 Iraqis here, Nov. 12. The Medical/Dental Civilian Assistance Program, or MedCAP/DenCAP, was organized by MEU Service Support Group 11, 11th MEU (SOC), with help from soldiers of Detachment 1, Company C, 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the MEU. "Working with the local deputy minister of health, we tried to find some of the poorest areas in the province and identified a requirement in the village of Ash Shafiyah," said Lt. Col. Ted A. Ruane, commanding officer, MSSG-11, 11th MEU (SOC). "We were able to get supplies and many other things just came together at one time in order to make this mission happen." After establishing security and setting up the site, team members processed a total of 464 people. More than 115 Iraqis received medical treatment and dental treatment. The rest went through the line to get food, water and gifts, which included soccer balls, miscellaneous toys, backpacks, school supplies and hygiene items.Al-Jizm no where to be found to report the incident. "A lot of what we saw were general aches and pains, and the more routine medical issues we face such as ear infections, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, diarrhea and the occasional surgical case," said Army Maj. Tad Gow, nurse, 601st Area Support Medical Company, augmenting the MEU. "Many people here have crossed eyes or cataracts but we were limited in the kinds of treatment we could give. There were a lot of patients who just needed information." Medical and dental personnel gave hygiene and toothbrush classes, talked about its importance and how it could prevent diseases and generally allow them to maintain better health. "(Iraqis) don't know too much about good hygiene," Gow said. "Basic hygiene information tends to go a long way with them as far as having a positive effect on their health. Most of their problems are caused by their lack of information and general health knowledge." According to Gow, the majority of patients attended were either children ages 1 to 5 or people older than 50. "These are the kinds of operations I think we're here for," Gow continued. "Of course our primary mission is to serve soldiers, sailors and Marines in an emergency but anything we can do to show the Iraqis that we really do care, that we are compassionate and not just for our own people will go a long way." One of the challenges faced during the operation was the low number of Iraqis who went to see the dentist, although many of them needed dental treatment. "Most of the Iraqi's had teeth that were literally rotting in their mouths or so infected that they needed to come out," said Navy Lt. Brian Olsen, dentist, Health Services Detachment, MSSG-11, 11th MEU (SOC). "Because of Ramadan, they wouldn't let me pull their bad teeth out. If they bleed and swallow it, it would be considered breaking their fast." Makes sense to me. According to Ruane, even with the challenges they faced, the operation was a textbook HAO. "It was amazing, with all the training that we did during workups, this operation actually went down just like we'd rehearsed it back in Camp Pendleton, Calif.," Ruane said. "We set up the site fairly quickly, we were able to process the people quickly and we had the security element in place. It was well rehearsed and well run." Ruane said the operation was a great opportunity for personnel of the unit to go out and support the local Iraqis. They got a sense of what they're doing in Iraq, that they are making a difference. "I think we made a difference in their lives," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan L. Reyes, dental technician, Health Services Detachment, MSSG-11, 11th MEU (SOC). "That little bit of knowledge we gave them about how to brush their teeth and proper hygiene, if they use it, could give them a healthier life." Posted by: Jarhead 2004-11-19 |
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