V CORPS UNITS TAKE ON MISSION TO REBUILD, REVITALIZE CLINIC FOR IRAQI TOWN
V Corps Release
Release Date: 12/12/2003
By Capt. Lacy Dodd 12th Aviation Brigade
BALAD, Iraq -- After V Corps' 12th Aviation Brigade established itself on what became Balad Southeast Army Airfield here, unit leaders decided they wanted to take on a project to help the Iraqi community living in the nearby village of Yathrib.
The brigade flight surgeon, Dr. (Maj.) Harlan Walker, had heard of a clinic in the area that was in need of significant aid and assistance. Walker met with U.S. Army civil affairs representatives who knew of the clinic, and with their assistance, the brigade stepped forward to spearhead the project.
Walker conducted an initial survey of the clinic with Lt. Col. Cecial Tates of the U.S. Army Reserve's 308th Civil Affairs Brigade. He found a clinic staff working out of three adobe-type huts using electricity produced by on-site generators. The team evaluated some local abandoned buildings to find one that would be a more suitable health care facility. Ironically, the building selected for the new clinic was the former Ba'ath party headquarters building, the seat of power for Saddam Hussein's regime in Yathrib.
During combat here, the headquarters was completely gutted by looters who took everything out of the building, including wall sockets, tiles, light bulbs, windows, doors, electrical wires, and plumbing facilities. All that remained was scarred walls, floors, and ceilings.
From May thru July, the 12th contracted for windows, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, painting, and plastering for the facility. V Corps' 130th Engineer Brigade joined in the project, paying bills and completing some of the actual renovation.
Initially, two Iraqi contractors were paid to perform the construction work. But early on in the project, one of the contractors was shot and another had his house attacked by former members of the Ba'ath Party.
Both men survived their wounds, but because of the risk to the Iraqis, it was decided that the soldiers of the 130th would perform much of the work on the building. As work resumed an Iraqi guard force was paid to protect the clinic's improvements.
Meanwhile, Walker developed contracts for the purchases of $15,000 worth of basic medical office furnishings such as water coolers, refrigerators, medical cabinets and tables, as well as $11,000 worth of medical equipment, such as stethoscopes and patient beds.
The grand opening of the Yathrib Clinic was Oct. 6. The citizens of Yathrib showed their appreciation to the U.S. soldiers involved in the project by giving them a grand tour of the completed facility. Brig. Gen. Vincent E. Boles, commander of V Corps' 3rd Corps Support Command, toured the clinic and seemed impressed by the new facility and its staff.
Leaders from the two brigades joined with the mayor of Yathrib and the senior sheikhs of the town to celebrate the opening. Mayor Shugan expressed his gratitude to the U.S. soldiers for their help, calling the clinic an important project and a momentous occasion in history. Citizens of Yathrib celebrated e event and showed their appreciation to the Americans by providing live music and dance.
With the assistance of civil affairs experts, Walker was introduced to the Regional Minister of Health in Tikrit and established a pharmaceutical distribution system contract. The Yathrib Clinic pharmacist was taken to the pharmaceutical warehouse in Tikrit and the clinic's medicine supply was replenished. The relationship between the clinic and warehouse has now been functioning effectively for five months, without outside involvement.
The next step in the clinic's rebirth was to revitalize its vaccination program and to make sure that vaccines were made available to the community. This was accomplished by linking the clinic with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
In an effort to maximize vaccination participation by Iraqi families, 12th Aviation Brigade soldiers began contacting friends and relatives in the U.S. to have them donate children's clothes, shoes, and toys to be given to local children on "Vaccination Day."
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