By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Due to the devastating consequences of war, healthcare in Iraq has suffered severely over the past seven years. Coalition forces have joined with the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development to help put an end to the poor health conditions by providing health clinics with much needed repairs, supplies, education and up-to-date equipment.

The Taji Healthcare Clinic, in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, is the only government-funded free health clinic in the area. Since it’s opening, the facilities have improved. A new emergency room and labor and delivery room were added, and modern equipment was provided, allowing clinic staff to treat more patients and provide better health care.

Capt. Romarius Longmire, a physician and native of Daphne, Ala., Spc. Cavan Yen, a medical lab technician and native of Sugarland, Texas, and Sgt. Lucas Gonzales, a physical therapy specialist and native of Stanton, Texas, conducted the training.

“Some of the equipment may seem rugged to people back in the States, but here it is a luxury and a blessing,” said Gonzales.

The number of patients visiting the clinic is increasing, and the Soldiers want to ensure the clinic’s doctors and nurses become familiar with their new equipment and are confident to use it on their own.

“A couple of months ago, we were treating about 150 patients a day. Now we are receiving well over 300 patients a day. People are seeing the improvements made and are much more confident in the health care we provided here,” said Dr. Muhammad Mahmood, clinic manager.

This training is another step in the positive development in the healthcare system in Taji. In the past six months, the clinic has gone from being an outer shell of a building to a flourishing medical center.