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Jordanian medical team eyes possible move to Qalat

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kevin G. Tuttle
  • Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team
QALAT, Afghanistan --  A Jordanian medical team visited Qalat on Nov. 28 during a medical assessment of the Zabul Province to determine the possibilities of expanding the current medical staff in the region.

Two Jordanian doctors and two security professionals toured the Zabul Provincial Hospital to assess the feasibility of moving to Qalat to augment the efforts of Afghan doctors.

Lt. Col. Christopher Scharenbrock, the chief medical officer for the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team, met with the Jordanian medical team.

"The Jordanians provide a level of experience that is very close to Western standards of healthcare," said Colonel Scharenbrock, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "In particular, they have the knowledge base to improve administration, surgical care, medical care and ancillary services such as laboratory and radiology."

If Jordan approves the move, 332 medical, staff and security personnel will move to the Qalat area while pulling out of Masur-e-Sharif, Balk province, where Jordanians currently augment Afghan medical personnel.

Jordanian Col. Zead F. Alshraideh, an anesthesiologist, expressed that Afghans need all the medical help they can get.

"We can't judge the medical facility because we have to think about the whole mission," said Colonel Alshraideh. "The hospital can be managed well and serve lots of people."

Colonel Scharenbrock commented that Jordanians and Afghans share in great part the Muslim faith and can easily respect each other's culture and religious beliefs.

"They are always eager to further their education and are looking forward to the Jordanian doctor's mentorship," added Colonel Scharenbrock.

According to Jordanian officials, the chances of these two nations working hand-in-hand in Zabul are high and a determination could be made as early as January of 2007.

"Many logistical issues need to be resolved, but with appropriate support levels from Coalition forces, I think the Jordanians will be very happy to work in Zabul Province," Colonel Scharenbrock said.