Photo By Spc. Leith Edgar | Sgt. Pietrzyk Bjoerm, a health care specialist with the 4-6 Military Transition Team,...... read more read more
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By Spc. L.B. Edgar,
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Feed a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. In Iraq's capital, this Chinese proverb rings more true with each passing day as coalition forces work to empower local nationals in reconstructing their country.
The health care system of Iraq is one type of "fishing" Iraqis are already practicing on a daily basis, said Col. Mark P. McGuire, chief of civil military operations, 3rd Medical Command, Multi National Corps – Iraq.
However, medical care is not new to Iraq.
"Physicians were being licensed in this country around 900 A.D. They do have a long history of dedication to the arts and sciences of healing and did not lose their knowledge (and) skills on March 20, 2003 (following the United States invasion)," said the native of Auburn, Ala. "It was a center of excellence for health care in the Middle East through the 1980s and into the early 1990s."
The Iraqi health care system is not perfect. There are supply issues and corruption, but people do receive medical treatment, McGuire said.
"They have a functioning medical system to care for the Iraqi people," he said. If an Iraqi citizen is injured in Iraq, they are going to at least receive the Iraqi standard of healthcare. The Iraqi level of care is what they had in 2003. We want to make sure we maintain that level and if we get it better, (then) great. But it's not our call. It's their call," McGuire said.
The Iraqi decision on the appropriate level of health care is a question, which needs an Iraq answer, McGuire explained.
Building the capacities of the Iraqi health care system to meet the Iraqi people's standards is now the goal. Toward this goal, Cooperative Medical Engagements, which provides planning, guidance and training to Iraqi healthcare professionals who in turn treat Iraqis, is replacing Medical Civic Action plans and medical operations in which coalition forces treat local nationals, McGuire explained.
Cooperation is also being practiced in the upper echelons of government as coalition forces constantly work with the Ministries of Iraq to improve infrastructure, including the health care system, McGuire said.
According to Maj. John Heil, deputy public affairs officer of 3rd Medical Command, helping Iraqi's help themselves will also aid the Soldiers on the ground.
"If we're going to make progress in this country, it's not just in security and their armed forces. It's also within their infrastructure, which includes health care," said the native of Nashville, Tenn. "Look at the big picture. What are we trying to do here? We're trying to make progress in this country, build them up and get them to a place where they can take care of themselves, so we can leave."
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2007 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 9761 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 440 |
| Downloads: | 419 |
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