Diyala Governor receives much-needed ambulances

Photo By Sgt. Armando Monroig | Gov. Ra'ad Tamimi, Diyala Province governor, holds the keys to the 18 ambulances that were handed over from the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team to the Diyala Ministry of Health at Forward Operating Base Warhorse near Baqouba, Iraq, May 10. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

05.14.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Diyala Governor Ra'ad Tamimi received the keys to new ambulances for the provincial Ministry of Health during a ceremony May 10 at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

The ambulances are 18 of 35 that were purchased by the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team and will be distributed to hospitals across the province.

"We've traveled around and we've done assessments of other hospitals, like Muqdadiyah, Khanaquin, and other places," said Capt. Jan Rose, a nurse with Company C, 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, from Little Rock, Ark.

The unit works with the State Department-led provincial reconstruction team to rebuild infrastructure in Diyala, including schools, water systems, and health clinics.

"We hear that they're having a hard time having access to care. So, through these vehicles, hopefully they'll be able to deliver supplies, transport patients – just have a better, safer way to get their patients back and forth to community hospitals," said Rose.

The ceremony was the culmination of a long process that started with the previous unit in Diyala, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. They identified the need from the Ministry of Health to get ambulances, said Capt. Henry Shih, the brigade surgeon of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

Shih said that up until now, they only had half the ambulances they needed.

"They needed 70 ambulances for the province. They only had 35 on hand. So, through the provincial reconstruction team and brigade commander's emergency response program funds which are used for reconstruction projects in Diyala, they were able to contract to have 35 ambulances produced and delivered here to Baqubah," said Shih. "This multiplies a great deal their capability to bring patients to the hospitals."

The ambulances are minivans that have been converted into medical vehicles, capable of transporting one patient and equipped with a roll-out stretcher, oxygen tank, and patient monitoring equipment. The Directorate General of Health, Dr. Homm, has a staff of paramedics who will drive the ambulances and help take care of patients.

"Dr. Homm has a distribution plan. He's already decided which areas need them the most," added Shih.

Shih said handing over keys to the ambulances to Tamimi was not only symbolic but also very significant.

"I want to give credit to the last unit for starting this project. All the people in the civil affairs teams and the provincial reconstruction team are really pushing a lot of these rebuilding projects, trying to help the Iraqis become more self-sufficient," said Shih.

"I think that says a lot to the efforts of the units and the Soldiers here and the civilians that work with us."

• Date Taken: 05.14.2007
• Date Posted: 05.14.2007 15:47
• Story ID: 10371
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ