International medics treat injured Afghans

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

04.13.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - Four Afghan citizens received medical aid from international forces in Afghanistan recently.

Two Afghans were brought to Forward Operating Base Farah in Farah province for treatment by a forward surgical team after an improvised explosive device detonated near a civilian bus in Bala Baluk, yesterday.

One of the patients suffered major injuries to the chest and is currently in critical condition; he was medically evacuated to the Herat Regional Military Hospital. The second patient was treated and released for minor injuries.

Both patients were brought to FOB Farah because a military unit assigned to that base was en route when the IED detonated, and witnessed the incident.

"News like this is always sad, but we would rather spend all day taking care of the patients here, than letting them go without treatment," said U.S Navy Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Hodges, senior enlisted leader, FST Farah. "It gives us a chance to show that we are the good guys."

The details of the incident are still being investigated.

In a separate incident, Afghan national police assisted by U.S. Special Operations Forces provided air medical evacuation for two Afghan children in Uruzgan province, Saturday.

A 2-year-old boy was diagnosed as having a fluid build-up in his lungs, and an 8-year-old suffered from an open elbow fracture after falling from a donkey. The two children, along with their parents, were taken to a U.S. medical treatment facility near the city of Tarin Kowt.

The 2-year-old was transferred to Kandahar Air Field for treatment, and the 8-year-old was treated and has returned home.

Both children are expected to make a full recovery.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2010
• Date Posted: 04.13.2010 09:30
• Story ID: 48066
• Location: KABUL, AF