I I r ra a q q M M i i n ni i s st t r r y y o of f H H e ea al l t t h h W W e ee ek k l l y y U U p pd d a at t e e — Najaf

I I r ra a q q M M i i n ni i s st t r r y y o of f H H e ea al l t t h h W W e ee ek k l l y y U U p pd d a at t e e M MO OH H- -O OC CP PA A H He ea al lt th h T Te ea am m C Cu ur rr re en nt t P Po ol li ic ci ie es s a an nd d I In ni it ti ia at ti iv ve es s, , V Vo ol l. . 1 13 3, , W We ed dn ne es sd da ay y, , S Se ep pt te em mb be er r 3 3, , 2 20 00 03 3 HIGHLIGHTS: - MINISTRY ASSISTS BOMBING AT NAJAF - MINISTRY OF HEALTH RELEASES REPAIR FUNDS - EMS STUDENTS GRADUATE - HEALTH FACILITY PROGRAMS APPROVED - MINISTRY OF HEALTH SPORSORS ARMY RECRUITING CONFERENCE Health Facility Proposals Ministry of Health Provides Ministry of Health Provides Ministry of Health Requests Assistance to Release of Funds Medical Response at Najaf Approved The Ministry of Health approved three separate proposals, effecting 44 health facility rehabilitation projects. Three separate Non- governmental organizations were involved. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offered to renovate 39 facilities at a projected cost of $6 million. Caritas-Iraq is sponsoring projects at two facilities totaling $170 thousand, and the World Medical Mission is sponsoring projects at three facilities at a cost of $160 thousand. Ministry of Health The Iraqi and CPA members of the Ministry of Health responded immediately to the bombing of the Imam Ali mosque in the city of Al Najaf. The CPA MOH worked quickly with the Iraqi MOH leadership to assemble and deploy 15 ambulances, 40 oxygen tanks, 45 units of whole blood and three trucks of trauma medical and surgical supplies, as well as a team of medical / surgical specialists. This medical convoy assembled shortly before midnight the evening of the bombing, packed all supplies from central warehouses and departed Baghdad at 3 a.m., arriving at Al Najaf 6 a.m. Medical authorities in Al Najaf were relieved to see this level of support. In addition to those killed in the blast, another 134 persons were treated in Najaf hospitals. Another 40 people were treated and released. Baghdad MOH representative Dr. Said Hakki evacuated 19 of the 134 trauma patients to Baghdad specialty centers for trauma care and burns. The team also assisted in mortuary affairs issues at the various Najaf hospitals. The emergency medical response was well executed by Iraqi MOH personnel and demonstrated MOH capability to rapidly assess and deliver the right medical response where needed. Last Thursday the Ministry of Health sent to the Ministry of Finance a request to release $2.5 million for backlogged maintenance and equipment replacement to all 21 Governorates throughout Iraq. These funds are earmarked for use by local healthcare facilities for minor equipment repairs and replacement that will enhance patient care while longer term refurbishment projects are developed and completed. The amount projected to each Governorate is based on historic patient activity in that area and the respective population served. The Ministry of Health plans to release an equal sum of money during the first part of October. More Emergency Medical Hosts Army Recruiting Conference Services Students Graduate MOH sponsored a one day New Iraqi Army Recruiting, Training and Iraq Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) Conference on September 01. Discussions centered on issues related to standardizing, reporting, and improving how the Ministry of Health will assess soldiers for duty. The Ministry of Health has been actively involved in recruiting, outfitting, resourcing, and staffing health clinics in direct support of the New Iraqi Army and ICDC programs. This initiative partners Ministry of Health medical efforts to Iraqi needs, while allowing coalition forces to focus on coalition needs. The Ministry of Health graduated its second class of medical first responders on August 31. The 36 graduates join another 40 EMS graduates previously trained. These personnel will form the nucleus of a budding Iraqi medical first responder program. For more information contact Col David Adams at adamsdv@orha.centcom.mil