| FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq, June 30, 2006 - The soldiers
of 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, currently working with the 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division
- Baghdad, were able to provide desperately needed medical
attention to an Iraqi citizen who was close to death June 17
at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah. Hiba Mohammed Abdul Ridha was injured by shrapnel during a terrorist mortar attack on her college May 2. The injury was unable to heal because of a preexisting lupus infection. Ridha's father, Sheik Raheem Shareef Jabratallah, a tribal leader in Fedaliyah, contacted the 3-67 AR in a last-ditch effort to save his daughter's life. The family brought Ridha directly to the gates of FOB Rustamiyah, said 2LT Joshua Prentice, battle captain, 3-67 AR Tactical Operations Center. Ridha's condition was assessed at the gate, and it was clear she was in need of immediate assistance. Because of lupus-like symptoms, it was determined that the leg was in danger, Prentice said. "Six weeks ago, she was in class at her college and there was a mortar attack. She received a minor injury," said CPT David McCaughrin, fire support officer and Civil Affairs officer-in-charge for 3-67 AR. "Unable to heal, it was only a matter of time before the wound became gangrenous," McCaughrin said. Gangrene, once started is usually irreversible. In this case it progressed so fast Ridha's life was in danger. "The girl definitely would have died," said LTC Mark Bertolini, commander, 3-67 AR. "Certainly in a week or two, and probably within three or four days." Ridha had several medical problems. Gangrene was one, but liver failure was another, separate problem, said CPT Michael Curtis, battalion surgeon, 3-67 AR. "When she arrived, she was unstable, and we were able to stabilize her," said Curtis, a native of Salt Lake City, UT. "Here, we were able to have our female medics and our female providers care for her," Curtis said. 3-67 AR took pains to accommodate Ridha in a manner sensitive to Iraqi cultural sensitivities. "As it turned out, once we got her in here, it was obvious her leg actually should have been amputated a couple of weeks ago," said Bertolini. "Obviously, her family was very grateful for the care." At this point, the case no longer focused on the loss of a limb; Ridha's life was in danger. 3-67 AR made sure that females were tasked to transport her to the aid station, and that only females were in the room where she was cared for, said McCaughrin. Ridha remained in the care of 3-67 AR for 24 hours. The soldiers contacted MAJ Aaron Baker, brigade surgeon, 4th BCT, 101st Infantry Division, at which point she was medevaced to the 10th Combat Support Hospital and then sent to Medical City Hospital for further treatment. "We remained culturally sensitive, and when we do that, it shows the local Iraqis that we care about their well-being," said Bertolini . Giving this type of aid demonstrates to the local populace that the US Army is willing to provide scarce resources to help them, Bertolini said. Jabratallah is a good friend of Bertolini's, as well an extremely influential member of the community, McCaughrin said. "He has been a big part of our security here," said Bertolini. "One story like this carries a long way. It wouldn't surprise me if a couple of thousand people hear about this in the next few days." |
