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Kandahar Air Wing leaders examine new NATO hospital

  • Published
  • By Capt. Robert Leese
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing
Maj. Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, Kandahar Air Wing Commander, Brig. Gen.
Mohammed Yousuf, KAW Vice Commander and Command Sgt. Major Mohammad
Hassan, KAW Senior Enlisted Advisor, recently toured the newly improved
NATO Role III Hospital at Kandahar Airfield.

The Hospital Commander, U.S. Navy Capt. Darin Zia gave a tour to
commanders to showcase their new capabilities. In addition to a
state-of-the-art trauma center and operating suites, the hospital has a
CT scanner and a thirty percent increase in bed spaces from the old
hospital. While American, British, Canadian and Dutch doctors and nurses
work there, the Role III Hospital serves more than just NATO personnel
injured by insurgent activities in the southern part of Afghanistan.
Though the priority is Coalition personnel and Afghan National Security
Forces, other Afghans can be treated depending on workload.

During the tour, Maj. Gen. Sherzai met with a 6-year old Pashtun girl
from Helmand injured by an insurgent IED which killed her brother and
sister and later visited three injured Afghan interpreters serving with
NATO personnel. Gen. Sherzai expressed interest in the Afghans' recovery
and reintegration after leaving the hospital. He was very impressed by
the hospital and noted NATO's investment in the facilities, equipment
and the dedication of the medical personnel demonstrates that Coalition
is very concerned about doing the best it can to save lives. He
expressed an indebtedness to the NATO caregivers and his pride in
working with those who would provide equally good care to injured
Afghans as well as Coalition personnel.

He summed up his feelings by saying "It does not matter what tribe you
are from, when you are here (at the Role III Hospital) because of your
service, we are all Afghans."

Gen. Yousuf and Command Sgt. Major Hassan were also deeply impressed by
the capabilities and willingness of the Coalition to treat everyone.
They explained that they had toured Afghan National Army Kandahar
Regional Medical Center about a year ago. They were impressed then with
NATO's effort to teach Afghan medical caregivers and expressed hope that
one day soon, the Afghan government will have medical treatment
facilities comparable to the NATO Role III Hospital for Afghans
throughout their country.

This key leader engagement demonstrates solidarity and appreciation for
NATO's efforts and the Coalition's sacrifices to help provide for the
safety and security of all Afghans - no matter what tribe or country
they call home.