Currently Browsing: Press Releases
Abu al Jasim Clinic undergoing 30-day renovation
FOB Iskan, Iraq, Thursday, 19 June 2008
The Abu al Jasim Health Clinic is getting a $28,600 facelift. Work on the facility began June 7 and is expected to take approximately 30 days.
The project was approved for renovation and funded through the Government of Iraq Commanders Emergency Response Program. I-CERP specifically contributes to reconstruction projects that promote self-sufficiency, such as schools, water purification plants, health clinics, city planning facilities, roads, sewers, irrigation and construction.
Renovating the clinic will provide an up-to-date, damage-free structure in which medical personnel can give care to the residents of Abu al Jasim. The contractor who was hired is using local workers to complete the project.
The renovations will consist of extensive exterior and minor interior renovations to the building, which was built in 1940 and has four rooms and two small closets.
An assessment on the clinic was done by Cpl. Edwin Guzman, who is a medic for 2nd Platoon, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. Guzman noted during the assessment that the building did not meet sanitary standards due to its condition.
Guzman also discovered the clinic stored medicine in only a small cooler. The medicine would run out after seeing 15-20 patients, forcing the medical personnel to refer patients to the Musayyib Hospital. Most didn’t go to the hospital because of the distance and also because the cost was too high, said Guzman, an Orlando, Fla., native.
Soldiers with 2nd Plt. were able to get two large refrigerators sent to the clinic. Then, a request was sent to the civil affairs team at FOB Iskan to begin the renovation process.
The clinic provides basic aid to patients from the surrounding areas and charges 500 dinar for treatment.
