thedrifter
02-03-05, 06:57 AM
31st MEU assists Iraqis with medical care
Submitted by: 31st MEU
Story Identification #: 20051307917
Story by Cpl. Matthew R. Jones
AR RUTBAH, Iraq (Jan. 26, 2005) -- Marines and sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a medical assessment of local Iraqis at the primary school here.
The assessment enabled the unit to provide medical support and treatment to the residents of the town, which has only one doctor.
“Many of the residents here do not have the ability to visit the doctor,” said Navy Lt. Rasha Hanna, dental officer, MEU Service Support Group-31. “This visit enabled them to be seen by a health care provider.”
Force protection being a high concern, Marines of S Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines and A Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines attached to the 31st MEU were assigned the security mission at the school.
“The Marines decided where it is safe to hold the medical assessment,” added Hanna. “We trust their judgment completely.”
With separate rooms for males and females, the medial teams saw more than 60 Iraqis, the most people seen during any assessment in the area.
“We were able to provide health care to the females,” said Navy Lt. Danielle J. Moszyk, flight surgeon, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Rein), 31st MEU. “They would not go to see the local doctor.”
The medical teams screened more women than men, many of the patients where children.
“They were happy to have the opportunity to be seen by medical professionals,” added Hanna, 27, a native of Steubenville, Ohio. “Those who were not able to treated were referred to the town doctor.”
The assessment provided the civil affairs team the opportunity to distribute election education materials to the local populace in support of the upcoming Iraqi elections.
The Marines assisted the interim Iraqi government and the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in informing Iraqi citizens on registration procedures and the election process
The visit was part of a larger civil affairs mission in the area being conducted to help change the public opinion of the coalition forces in the area.
“We are working to turn around their perception of us,” added Hanna. “We are trying to gain their trust.”
The Iraqis were receptive to the visit and were grateful for the medical care provided.
[img]http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200513072142/$file/20050126-M-2176J-115_lowres.jpg[/imf]
An Iraqi boy looks at the camera as Derby, Kansas native Navy Seaman Jennifer A. Swan, a corpsman with MEU Service Support Group-31, prepares to give the child an examination. The child was seen during a medical assessment held by the Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the town of Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Photo by: Cpl. Matthew R. Jones
Ellie
Submitted by: 31st MEU
Story Identification #: 20051307917
Story by Cpl. Matthew R. Jones
AR RUTBAH, Iraq (Jan. 26, 2005) -- Marines and sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a medical assessment of local Iraqis at the primary school here.
The assessment enabled the unit to provide medical support and treatment to the residents of the town, which has only one doctor.
“Many of the residents here do not have the ability to visit the doctor,” said Navy Lt. Rasha Hanna, dental officer, MEU Service Support Group-31. “This visit enabled them to be seen by a health care provider.”
Force protection being a high concern, Marines of S Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines and A Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines attached to the 31st MEU were assigned the security mission at the school.
“The Marines decided where it is safe to hold the medical assessment,” added Hanna. “We trust their judgment completely.”
With separate rooms for males and females, the medial teams saw more than 60 Iraqis, the most people seen during any assessment in the area.
“We were able to provide health care to the females,” said Navy Lt. Danielle J. Moszyk, flight surgeon, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Rein), 31st MEU. “They would not go to see the local doctor.”
The medical teams screened more women than men, many of the patients where children.
“They were happy to have the opportunity to be seen by medical professionals,” added Hanna, 27, a native of Steubenville, Ohio. “Those who were not able to treated were referred to the town doctor.”
The assessment provided the civil affairs team the opportunity to distribute election education materials to the local populace in support of the upcoming Iraqi elections.
The Marines assisted the interim Iraqi government and the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in informing Iraqi citizens on registration procedures and the election process
The visit was part of a larger civil affairs mission in the area being conducted to help change the public opinion of the coalition forces in the area.
“We are working to turn around their perception of us,” added Hanna. “We are trying to gain their trust.”
The Iraqis were receptive to the visit and were grateful for the medical care provided.
[img]http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200513072142/$file/20050126-M-2176J-115_lowres.jpg[/imf]
An Iraqi boy looks at the camera as Derby, Kansas native Navy Seaman Jennifer A. Swan, a corpsman with MEU Service Support Group-31, prepares to give the child an examination. The child was seen during a medical assessment held by the Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the town of Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Photo by: Cpl. Matthew R. Jones
Ellie