JIKO --- Local City Council leaders successfully planned and executed a combined medical engagement at the Jiko medical clinic, providing care to the people of Jiko, Mukalan and Sattack, Aug. 30.
Almost 400 Iraqis received care from Capt. Kadhim Ali Kadhim, an Iraqi battalion surgeon, and U.S. doctors and corpsmen.
“This has been the largest Iraqi-lead event in the area,” said Mohammed Hussein, Jiko’s medical nurse and member of the Tri-Cities City Council.
Hussein added that it is important that the community sees the city council is able to provide its people with the essential services they need.
“Providing treatment for the people is important, but the real critical patients are the children,” explained Kadhim. “If we find health problems in the children we can treat it early so eventually the problem does not keep reoccurring.”
Medical personnel treated Iraqis for a wide variety of ailments ranging from minor sinus irritation to severe skin rashes.
Kadhim added that with the sustainability of medical and humanitarian care Iraq can now provide, communities will soon see an increase in health and availability of families able to obtain essential medical services.
Local Iraqi police and soldiers handed out food and water to citizens and brought joy to the children with toys and school supplies.
The region’s current success is a direct result of the hard work and sacrifices made by the Tri-Cities City Council, said Lance Cpl. Alexander Kurtz, a 20-year-old scout with Mobile Assault Company.
While Marines were there providing over-watch, “The Iraqi Army and Police were out in force doing most of the work,” explained the Oak Island, N.C., native.
(By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt, Regimental Combat Team-1)