Airmen, Soldiers host health fair for Iraqi children

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  Airmen and Soldiers here hosted a Department of State Provincial Reconstruction Team-initiated health fair for local Iraqi children Aug. 22.

More than 30 children from the surrounding Salah ad Din province interacted with servicemembers while learning about basic first aid, the role of emergency medical professionals and nutrition and hygiene skills.

The health fair marked the first time local kids were brought to the base for a medical outreach program.

"The event served the purpose of educating the children in the hopes they will disseminate the information to their families," said 1st Lt. Emanuel Pierre, Task Force 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion civil military operations officer. "We also see this as an opportunity to cultivate good sentiment between the Iraqi people and coalition forces."

Maj. (Dr.) David Carnahan, the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group chief of medical staff, said his crew is working hand-in-hand with people in the local community to establish and maintain working relationships with their Iraqi counterparts.

"In the past, our doctors would work alongside Iraqi doctors in treating injured host nationals (at the Air Force Theater Hospital here)," the doctor said. "As the violence decreases in the area, we don't have that kind of working relationship anymore. In order to maintain the rapport we've built, we need to come together in non-hostility related events such as this. We are trying to support the Iraqi healthcare system by not undermining it, but helping where we can."

The goal was to teach useful health skills, but the event organizers also included time for the children to have fun. When the kids first arrived, they got to inspect static displays of medical emergency vehicles and some even tried on firefighters' gear. Then, after the briefings and lunch, they spent the afternoon enjoying sporting events and games at the west side gym.

The 6- to 14-year-old participants weren't the only ones having a good time at the event.
 
"We love being with the kids and having them here on our base," said Army Sgt. Maj. Kellyanne O'Neil, Task Force 1st Medical Command senior clinical sergeant major. "You could see everyone smiling and having a great time. It takes (the military members) away from the madness for a little while. Besides having fun, we hope the information and instruction we are exposing them to will ultimately make them safer."