FOB Ghazni brings medical care to Gelan district

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan, American, and visiting Polish medical providers from Forward Operating Base Ghazni treated 270 patients during a village medical outreach mission at the Janda Comprehensive Health Clinic in the Gelan district, Feb. 13.  

Gelan, a designated focus district with a high level of insurgent activity, was chosen as the VMO site because of the lack of female providers and quality care. 

“The clinic is an old structure with no female providers at all,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Joseph Baugh, a physicians assistant assigned to Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team. “We brought three female care givers to the VMO to provide care for however many female patients that showed up.”

Of the 270 patients seen at the VMO, 100 of them were females.  

“When I saw the patients’ faces, they were laughing and smiling. They were so happy to be there,” said Shabnam, a local midwife employed by the PRT.  

During winter months, the clinic provides care for 20 to 30 patients per day. 

“In the summertime, gastro-intestinal problems are the most common illnesses treated in the clinics because of the extremely poor water quality,” said Baugh. “There is a disproportionately high level of dysentery, in this area compared to a lot of places in Afghanistan.”

The most common problem being treated at the clinic during the VMO was upper respiratory illnesses such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia, which affected many children.

A handful of Afghan National Police were among the patients seen at the clinic.

One policeman showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“PTSD and mental problems are widespread among the ANP here,” explained Baugh. “We just don’t associate Afghans with having those types of problems. But they’re out there fighting insurgents every day. Some of these guys are so affected. Even a car horn can scare them.”

Also seen in the clinic was a policeman who was searching for treatment for opium addiction. The policeman was referred to Ghazni Provincial Hospital in Ghazni City where there is a drug treatment program. 

Many patients seen during the VMO were referred to specialists at the larger hospitals in Kabul. 

“I referred patients to Kabul and explained to them that it is impossible to treat them with just medications,” said Dr. Masood, a local Afghan physician employed by the PRT. “Most people think their problems will just go away with medications. Some of these problems are too serious for that, and there is not the definitive care available here for them that they need. We explained exactly where they need to go to receive care for their problems. By giving them that information, we have given them confidence and hope to go and receive the free medical care that they need.”