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

Department of Energy Iraqi Ministry of Oil

Department of Energy and Iraqi Ministry of Oil Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation

MOU Encourages Cooperation in Energy Analysis, Science and Technology and Energy Technology Demonstration

WASHINGTON, DC -- At the Second U.S.-Iraq Joint Economic Commission, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs Karen Harbert and Iraqi Ministry of Oil Director General for Economics and Finance Radwan Al-Sa’adi today signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation on Energy Analysis, Science and Technology, and Energy Technology Demonstration.

The non-legally binding MOU establishes a framework for formal consultations and cooperation on a broad range of energy, scientific, and environmental issues between the United States and the Republic of Iraq. Activities under the energy partnership will support the rehabilitation and expansion of Iraq’s energy infrastructure, which will be critical to advancing Iraq’s medium- and long-term economic development goals.

Initially, the joint cooperative program, which will involve other U.S. and Iraqi agencies, will focus on regulatory, technical, and financial advisory assistance that will help to strengthen capacities in Iraqi institutions, and promote advanced energy technologies and techniques.

“The MOU and the informative energy dialogue that we held on December 17th at the Department of Energy will be an invaluable consultative mechanism for developing and implementing an effective energy program," Assistant Secretary Harbert said. "We believe that the joint energy program will help to advance shared objectives of promoting a stable, economically vibrant democracy in Iraq and enhancing regional and international energy cooperation.”

Media contacts:
Jeanne Lopatto, 202/586-4940
Drew Malcomb, 202/586-5806
Source: DOE
Number: R-04-372