ANSF, Coalition Forces Give the Gift of Good Health

2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Story by Sgt. Gerald Wilson

08.30.2010  ZABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces with support from their coalition counterparts recently brought the gift of good health to the people of the Maruf District.

For the first time in two years, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan sponsored a Combined Medical Engagment at the Maruf District Center in the Kandahar province. The CME provided basic health care to the local citizens.

Tell me where it Hurts: A medic from the 4th Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment examines a little girl during the medical clinic in Masruf.  Photo by Sgt. Gerald Wilson

The event was also held to promote the new health clinic that is slated to open in the district center later this fall. Afghan National Police and Border Patrol worked as translators and assisted coalition medics in serving their patients.

Despite Ramadan activities, many of the patients seen that day travelled more than 15 kilometers from as far as the Maruf/Wam Valley. At the end of the more than 100 patients, many women and children were treated by the medical staff.

“This was a fine example for the citizens of Maruf,” said a spokesman for the event. “It really stresses to them that the district government really cares about them and is doing everything it can to provide for the needs of the people.”

Mission Accomplished: The Medical Engagement Team poses for a photo with some of the children they treated during their recent clinic in Masruf.  Photo by Sgt. Gerald Wilson