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GODE, Ethiopia - More than 1,200 villagers were treated when the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Civil Affairs team, in conjunction with the Ethiopian government, conducted a Medical Civil Assistance Project in Gode, Ethiopia, Nov. 7 - 9.

During the three-day clinic, CJTF-HOA members treated the sick, who came from six villages surrounding Gode.

"We treated everything from minor injuries such as cuts to severe long-term injuries," said Army Staff Sgt. John Dominguez, CJTF-HOA civil affairs medic. "I treated one individual who had knee problems several years ago and now has to walk on his hands, dragging himself to get around."

The MEDCAP team treated various ailments and diseases, aiming at doing the most good for the most people.

"You try to help out as many as you can," said Army Master Sgt. John Abbe, CJTF-HOA civic action team NCO in charge. "A lot of things they have problems with, they realize are problems, but they just don't have the money to get it taken care of. You'd love to hand over your paycheck, and if that would solve the problem here, we'd all do it. But we help as many as we can, and thank goodness we can help some."

Some of the medics treated types of injuries they have never encountered before.

"I've seen injuries and illnesses in the late stages that you'd never see in the states," Dominguez said. "It's the kind of stuff you usually only see in medical books."

In order to be prepared to give the best possible treatment during the MEDCAP, the civil affairs team studied the surrounding area to find the common diseases and illnesses.

"We saw a lot of farming accidents and sexually transmitted diseases," said Dominguez. "Also, there's several pumps for getting water out of the river, and they use donkey carts to get water. It seems every week you'll see a crocodile bite or some of their animals getting snatched by a 'croc.'"

Some of the people treated during the first day returned for follow-up treatment. One such villager, Abshiro Ahmed, is a science teacher at the Gode Primary School. She was treated for a severely infected forearm laceration.

"The infection was in my hand for several days," said Ahmed. "[The medics] cleaned it and gave me medication. I haven't been able to sleep for the past few nights, but last night [after the treatment], I slept."

Ahmed's experience is just one example of the immediate effect a MEDCAP can have on villagers.

"Our main goal is to impact lives," said Abbe. "That woman's life was greatly impacted. That makes me feel better; there were quite a few like that."

While the treatment itself is important, Abbe believes the message behind this mission is paramount.

"It's important that these people know we're here because of their national government," he said. "The Ethiopian government provides stability for the people, and our support helps provide the government with legitimacy. With that legitimacy comes more responsibility. The government now has its people looking to them to provide more services."

CJTF-HOA members hope that message is passed on to future generations.

"The children are the ones we're going to make the biggest impact on," said Dominguez. "The task force's effort to fight terrorism is going to be won through the children. If you have children growing up with memories of the help we've given them, they're going to be less likely to pick up a weapon."

If the smiles seen at the MEDCAP are used as the measuring stick, the task force is steadily winning the hearts and minds of future generations.

"That's my favorite part - seeing the children laugh, visiting with them and making them feel better," Abbe said. "Everyone who's in the medical field got into this because we want to help. We all have an innate desire to help people, and this is one of those missions where we really get to do it."


Source: WWW.HOA.CENTCOM.MILL/HORNNEWS