MAWALI, Iraq - The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, Brigade Medical Support Company went to Mawali, Iraq, to conduct a medical screening and to deliver much needed medical supplies to a clinic in the area.
Citizens went to the Mawali Secondary Boy's School to receive medical attention from the local doctor with the support of Coalition Forces Feb. 18.
"Basically, today was the normal upper-respiratory cold kind of things -- muscle aches. Nothing really too bad, some dentistry things they will have to go to Mosul for, because they don't have anything local," said Capt. Minnie Dougherty, physicians assistant, 172nd SBCT 1-17th BMSC. "It seemed to be pretty common stuff. They seem to be doing pretty well."
Mawali has had problems receiving medical supplies in recent months because of heavy rain in the area. "The entry roads to Mawali have suffered greatly making it difficult to get in and out of the village," said Staff Sgt. Dominic Petyrk, 401st Civil Affairs Battalion.
"It was not what we expected. It was very calm. A lot of times we go out on med screens and there's a lot of pushing and shoving to get to the front of the line to try to be seen," said 1st Lt. Brett Phillips, 172nd SBCT 1-17th BMSC. "They came in, were seen by the doctors and received the civil affairs package, and it seems every body was pretty happy when they left."
The CA care package consisted of children's clothing, small toys and candy. Some the products within the care package were donated from communities from the U.S., other are purchased from the Iraqi economy.
According to Phillips, They saw 149 patients in two hours. That is about average, but they don't aim for numbers or time limits. The medics try to help the community the best way possible
"I thought it went really well. I expected a few more Iraqi doctors to work with," Dougherty said. "I ended up working with an Iraqi doctor that did not speak any English. It was a little rough at first, but we ended up making a really good team."
Dougherty worked along with Taha Ahamed, Mawali Medical Clinic doctor. They shared knowledge to ensure that the patients received the best available treatment.
"Iraqi doctors are taught medicine in English, which makes communication easier," Dougherty, said. "You can talk about the patient's problems because the medical problems are the same anywhere you go."