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Zabul PRT works to modernize medical facilities.

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Amber Balken
  • Zabul PRT public affairs
ZABUL Afghanistan --  Through the rough terrain of the Afghan mountains, members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction team and members of the Kentucky Army National Guard delivered four medical conexes to the district center of Atgar.

These conexes will be used in areas of Atgar as medical facilities. Each conex is 12 feet tall by 20 feet wide and houses two rooms, heating and cooling systems, a sink and a generator. They are given to areas that currently have doctors but because of current conditions actual facilities are limited.

This is the second round of medical conexes to be delivered, the first set went to the Suri village in Zabul. Atgar was selected for this delivery because of the increasing access to care stated Air Force Dr. (Capt.) Brent Barnstuble, Zabul PRT doctor deployed here from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

"The locations also need to be relatively close to the ANSF for coalition forces to ensure security," he said.

Currently Atgar has one medical provider who sees about 250 patients per week.
His staff consists of one pharmacist, four people to administer vaccinations and four additional workers, although he has no access to labs or x-rays.

"By providing the Afghan people a place to deliver basic health care, they will be able to do it better, safer and more modern," said Doctor Barnstuble.

The PRT was able to safely and effectively deliver the conexes and, working closely with the Afghan NGO Ibinsina, will be able to ensure their proper use. Ibinsina will manage, staff and resupply each facility.

"Ibinsina will take over the day-to-day operations of the conexes," said Air Force 1st Lt. Alex Lowe, Zabul PRT Physicians Assistant, deployed here from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "This allows Afghan people to sustain the facilities themselves and continue to provide medical assistance to all those in need."

"The conexes will hopefully encourage more people to seek medical care," said Doctor Barnstuble. "These facilities are very important in the health care of the Afghan people."

With the help of Ibinsina the PRT is scheduled to deliver more medical conexes in the spring.