Afghan Progress Seen in New Full Service Hospital

Military Medicine, Spring 2006

Hope for a stable and healthy life for families was reborn in Afghanistan when the new Zabul Regional Teaching Hospital opened. Located between Kabul and Kandahar, the new facility will provide care to Afghanistan's southern population.

Built with funds from the United Arab Emirates, the facility houses $4 million worth of equipment. It contains a full service hospital that can hold up to 130 patients, a level 1 trauma center, major and minor surgery facilities, and equipment to provide neonatal and pediatrie care, as well as full service dental care. United Arab Emirates and Qalat PRT soldiers escorted the equipment from Kandahar Airfield. Local contractors installed the equipment and built the facility.

"The complete project was a classic example of interagency cooperation," according to LTC Thomas Goodfellow, USA. " The Qalat PRT, Afghan Ministry of Health, U.A.E. embassy staff and U.A.E. forces, technicians from India, and Charlie Company medical staff from the 173rd Support Battalion on Kandahar Air Field played important roles in the successful project." The Colonel concluded that the hospital is truly a sign of progress for the Afghan people.

"There's more to a hospital than health care," Goodfellow said. "A hospital brings people hope, and hope can turn into vision. If we can get all Afghans to share a common vision, there's no end to what Afghanistan can do for itself."

Reference,

Arguello, Jon, H., "New Hospital Symbolizes Afghan Progress in South" Defense Press Service, January 26, 2006