Fallujah Medical Care Update

Fallujah, Iraq -- Ministry of Health officials, in coordination with members of the 4th Civil Affairs Group of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, have made great progress in their efforts to provide medical care to the newly returning residents of Fallujah.

As of today, Fallujah General Hospital is fully operational with 31 staff members, who are prepared to provide emergency, surgical and general health care. Additionally, the hospital positioned doctors and ambulances at Humanitarian Aide sites, entry control points and medical centers such as the Jolan Clinic.

In response to Ministry of Health television announcements urging all Fallujah medical specialists to report to work immediately, additional physicians and medical personnel are beginning to arrive at the Civil Military Operations Center offering to take any medical assignment.

Cmdr. Luis P. Tripoli, physician for the 4th Civil Affairs Group, remarked, “I am really proud of these people who have stepped up. They don’t complain about money or danger. They care about taking care of patients; remarkable.”

The Ministry of Health has set clear priorities for future Fallujah medical care capabilities including; the rehabilitation of five public health clinics, providing health care to Iraqi Security Forces and Public Order Battalions, and identifying and mitigating local health threats. The medical teams of the 4th Civil Affairs Group stand ready to assist the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Fallujah’s medical professionals.

Release #0412029g Dec. 29, 2004 Source: MNFI