News>New Medical Clinic Opens Doors Strengthening U.S. Kyrgyz Partnership
Photos
Col. Shirlene Ostrov, 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander is honored by a Nizchuinski village resident during the Nizchuinski village medical clinic dedication ceremony, on Nov. 15, 2012. Ostrov is known in the local community for her support throughout the past several months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi)
Basarov Ramazan Bubaevich, center, Mayor of Nizchuinski cuts a ribbon with the assistance of representatives from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, U.S. Embassy Bishkek, and the Kyrgyz Republic officially opening a new village medical clinic in Nizhne-Chuysk village, Kyrgyztan, on Nov. 15, 2012. The village which is valued at more than (blank) is part of a continued partnership between the U.S and the Kyrgyz Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi)
Children stand for the playing of the Kyrgyz and American National Anthems during the medical clinic dedication ceremony, in Nizchuinski village, Kyrgyztan, on Nov. 15, 2012. The humanitarian assistance project was managed by the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan Theater Security Cooperation division in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Bishkek and USAID. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi
by Capt. Martha Petersante
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
11/22/2012 - NIZHNE-CHYSK VILLAGE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- Service members from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with representatives from the U.S. Embassy Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health and residents of the Nizhne-Chuysk Village gathered on Nov. 15, to celebrate the grand opening of the village's new medical clinic.
The project, which is valued at more than $100,000, was a combined humanitarian assistance effort between the Transit Center's theater security cooperation division, the U.S. Embassy Bishkek and U.S. Agency for International Development. Designed to serve the more than 5,000 village residents, the fully furnished clinic can now provide immediate access to health care.
"As a member of the greater Bishkek community for nearly 11 years, the Transit Center has partnered often with the U.S. Embassy (Bishkek) and the Kyrgyz Republic to improve the lives of Kyrgyz citizens," said Col. Corey Martin, Transit Center director. "Like this medical clinic, many of those projects are partnerships with the Ministry of Health. I am very happy that a by-product of the U.S. military presence in Kyrgyzstan is a wonderful project like this 130 square meter clinic, which will help support the health care needs of 5,000 local villagers."
Echoing the colonel's sentiments, David McCormick, U.S. Embassy Bishkek acting deputy chief of mission, spoke about how this project is a "culmination of a combined effort between the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States to effectively help and enhance the medical care within the (Nizhne-Chuysk) village for years to come."
The clinic construction and on-site installation, managed by the Transit Center's TSC team, was completed "ahead of schedule and included basic medical equipment, such as examination tables, scales and diagnostic equipment," said Capt. Jason Donovant, Transit Center TSC division medical director.
The recent development is a tangible outcome to a continued, strong partnership between the Transit Center and the Kyrgyz Republi, said Donovant.
"Together, we are able to effectively improve quality of life for the village residents by empowering them to provide timely, adequate medical care," he said.
Kyrgyz Deputy Ministry of Health Marat Temirbekovich thanked the U.S. government and also praised the new capabilities of the clinic stating that our doctors, nurses and medical assistants can now help our citizens by providing medical assistance where needed, improving the overall health and quality of life for the Chui Oblast residents.
The ceremony was followed by a tour of the facility by the medical staff and a celebratory community lunch hosted by the village mayor.
