Soldiers deliver prosthetic limbs to Baghdad hospital

BAGHDAD (July 23, 2010) — Soldiers recently delivered boxes of prosthetic limbs to Adamiyah Hospital here.

“We wanted to put these limbs to good use,” said Capt. Gabriela Niess, with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and a native of Davis, Calif. “By giving these prosthetics to a location with capabilities to use them for the people of Iraq, we keep them from being wasted or sitting in a closet somewhere.”

The 4th Stryker Brigade soldiers worked with the 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div., to determine which hospital was the best prospect to receive the prosthetic limbs, said Maj. Michael Perreault, brigade surgeon.

According to Perreault, Maj.  Eric Aguila, squadron surgeon assigned to 2nd Cavalry Squadron, 1st Cav.  Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, visited Adamiyah Hospital during the past few weeks. In that time, Aguila brought examples of what was available to the hospital’s prosthetic section and asked healthcare providers if there would be a need for prosthetic arms and legs. Through developing a partnership with the Adamiyah Hospital staff, the Army surgeons determined this hospital would be the best location to ensure the prosthetics would be put to good use.

“We determined that this hospital was the most capable to help the most Iraqi people using these products,” Niess said.

“This product drop gives the hospital more supplies and assets that they can use to better support the people of Iraq,” Perreault added. “The doctors and patients all seemed excited and happy with the new equipment.”

Perreault said he hopes some Iraqis have the opportunity to lead a more-normal life thanks to this donation provided by U.S. forces.

“This rehabilitation hospital serves about 400 patients a day in everything from physical therapy to prosthetic limb fitting,” said Perrault. “These prosthetics can help some of those patients walk again.”