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Duncan (Nasiriyah Children's Hospital)

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about my trip to the children's hospital. It will break your heart and bring a smile to your face.

To see these young children in the conditions of this hospital is somewhat overwhelming. They need so many medical supplies and staff needs so much specialized training that it would take a great deal of support to help them.

When we walked into the hospital, it was very crowded and unsanitary. The look on the children's faces was that of curiosity and some of fear. I could only imagine if I were (a mother) on the other end, what I would think of soldiers walking in while I am there with a sick child. Once they realized that we were there to help, they became very friendly. We asked two doctors about the medical supplies they needed. It turned out to be a long list. They need everything from nebulizers to IV supplies. They also need medical training and a staff to provide it.

The hospital serves about 1.4 million people and has 285 beds, according to Dr. Nima Al Temimy. The average rate of births is around 600 per month. About 20 to 30 percent is Caesarean section while 20 percent is pre-mature. The mortality rate is 20-30 babies along with 1-2 mothers per month. A majority of the children suffer malnutrition. They also suffer from pneumonia, respiratory distress and respiratory diseases. They are in critical need of oxygen equipment for these type patients. They also need incubators with UV lighting for the newborn babies. Dr. Al Temimy also asked for third generation antibiotics such as keflex.

We passed out toys to the children and to watch their faces light up was heart warming. One little boy, in particular, caught our eyes. He is seven years old and suffers from a blood disorder similar to that of a hemophiliac. The doctors told us that he is constantly in the hospital because of his bleeding. It is a chronic disease, but one that can be controlled with the proper medicine.

Anything that we could do to help these people would be a great gesture on our behalf. It would also be a good feeling to help someone in need.

Anyone wishing to contribute, in any way, to this hospital can contact:

LTC Bart Butler, S-5
email: bart.butler@us.army.mil
194th Engineer Brigade
APO, AE 09331

Sergeant Sharon Duncan is Executive Administrative Specialist in the Command Section of the 194th Engineer Brigade (TA), Tennessee Army National Guard, Jackson, Tennessee now deployed in Iraq. She wrote this article following her trip to the An Nasiriyah Children's Hospital.

Dr. Khadar Abas discusses the needs of his hospital

First Lieutenant Dennis Sewell of the 891st Engineer Battalion discusses the hospital conditions with a nurse

A Mother waiting on treatment for her child

A Group of Mothers and their children waiting to see nurses and doctors

1LT Sewell (far left) and SGT Sharon Duncan (third from left) of the 194th Engineer Brigade discuss the needs of the An Nasiriyah Children’s Hospital

SGT Duncan with Doctors

A Mother and her daughter wait patiently for medical care at the An Nasiriyah Children’s Hospital in Iraq

A young boy holding his toy received from soldiers visiting the An Nasiriyah Children’s Hospital. The boy has a bleeding disease and cannot get the proper medication to control