Photo By Seaman Zachary Hernandez | Dr. Ako, Halabja, director of health, discusses future projects for the new Tovo...... read more read more
KURDISTAN, Iraq – Approximately 30 people gathered for the grand opening of the Tovo Medical Clinic Feb. 12 in the Kani Karweshkan foothills, located in Halabja, Iraq.
The clinic opened in honor of Brig. Gen. Kenneth Tovo, in recognition of his past service in Iraq. The new clinic will help address a need in this northern Iraq community.
This new facility, to be equipped with more than $25,000 of medical equipment, will help significantly improve the region's medical care and provide essential services throughout the Kurdish autonomous region, said a coalition forces advisor.
Projects like this one create short-term benefits and long-term potential consistent with the intended goals of the Iraqi and coalition forces partnership. Short-term, the clinic makes medical care for potentially fatal illnesses and injuries more accessible.
The clinic provides almost 500 residents from six surrounding villages access to a medical facility and the medical services of a staff of three full-time doctors. The location of the clinic also increases the chances of survivability by providing people in a community, where vehicular transportation is scarce, access because of the clinic's central location. Access results in more immediate care, so patients can be stabilized before they are moved to another medical facility, if more specialized care is necessary.
"Most of the trauma cases we see are due to snake and scorpion bites to farmers working the fields," said the regional tribal leader. "These patients can receive care immediately, lowering their chances of death."
The long-term potential of this clinic includes a variety of possible development opportunities. Kurdistan regional government officials and CF have already entered into discussions regarding future plans to pave the clinic route to make it more accessible, drill wells to provide water to the clinic, establish nearby electrical lines for communication, and expand clinic services.
Projects like the opening of this clinic are just one of several planned to promote local participation and demonstrate the government's commitment to maintaining security while encouraging social and capital development.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2009 01:36 |
| Story ID: | 30280 |
| Location: | KURDISTAN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 440 |
| Downloads: | 428 |
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