Posted on 07/23/2010 5:16:18 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD – U.S. Soldiers recently delivered boxes of prosthetic limbs to the Iraqi capital's Adamiyah Hospital, a rehabilitative center where many patients in need are treated daily.
The brigade surgeon of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Maj. Michael Perreault, looks at prosthetic limbs delivered by 4th SBCT Soldiers to the Adamiyah Hospital in Baghdad, July 19, 2010. Following the delivery, doctors gave the Soldiers a tour of the facility where the limbs will be used to treat Iraqi patients. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Schneider.
“We wanted to put these limbs to good use,” said Capt. Gabriela Niess, the non-lethal planner for 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and a native of Davis, Calif. “By giving these prosthetics to a location with capabilities to use them for the people of Iraq, we keep them from being wasted or sitting in a closet somewhere.”
Soldiers from both the 4th SBCT and the 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div., have been working closely with hospitals around the area to determine which hospital was the best prospect to receive the prosthetic limbs, said Maj. Michael Perreault, the brigade surgeon for 4th SBCT.
According to Perreault, Maj. Eric Aguila, squadron surgeon assigned to 2nd Cavalry Squadron, 1st Cav. Regiment, 4th SBCT, visited Adamiyah Hospital during the past few weeks. In that time, Aguila brought examples of what was available to the hospital’s prosthetic section and asked healthcare providers if there would be a need for prosthetic arms and legs. Through developing a partnership with the Adamiyah Hospital staff, the U.S. surgeons determined this hospital would be the best location to ensure the prosthetics would be put to good use.
“We determined that this hospital was the most capable to help the most Iraqi people using these products,” said Niess.
“This product drop gives the hospital more supplies and assets that they can use to better support the people of Iraq,” Perreault added. “The doctors and patients all seemed excited and happy with the new equipment.”
Perreault said he hopes some Iraqis have the opportunity to lead a more-normal life thanks to this donation provided by U.S. forces.
“This rehabilitation hospital serves about 400 patients a day in everything from physical therapy to prosthetic limb fitting,” said Perrault. “These prosthetics can help some of those patients walk again.”
B U M P
It must be said: Glad they went out on a limb to do this.
It must be said: Glad they went out on a limb to do this.
God BLESS the awesome United States Military!
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