Americans Bring Medical Help to Afghanistan Families (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
People in the war torn city of Kabul Afghanistan have few resources to turn to for medical care, and even simple pain relievers like headache medicine is very difficult for people to locate. This story was originally published December 29th, 2006.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - It may be deceiving at first glance, but the health of Afghan nationals will advance significantly today.

This woman and her child are
shoeless on a freezing morning,
several people that attended the
MEDCAP mission suffered
frostbite just getting there

A joint U.S./British medical assistance operation will treat nearly 400 people. For Oregon Guard Specialist Angel Morrow, it's better than treating people who were exploded by an IED.

"It takes a lot of planning; there's a lot of moving parts and different groups involved. Um, but once it all comes together, we all have different responsibilities, once those things come together and we all work together it ends up pretty well, and we get better each time we do it," says Specialist Angel Morrow of the Oregon Guard Combat Medic from Salem, Oregon.

"So it's nice to come out and give them some medication and help with their colds and whatever is going wrong with them," adds Combat Medic Sgt. Cynthia Follansbee of the Oregon Guard who is from Portland, Oregon.

The doctor asks a young woman, "And this injury here, what happened with this one?”

The young woman and many others, young and old have almost no health facilities here to turn to, what is available is expensive and far beyond their means.

Specialist Morrow says, “We're getting through quite a few people there are certain things we just can't treat, that makes us feel bad. We just can't help some of these people."

This small Afghan boy was carried in by his mother, who feared he was dying. In
Afghanistan, one out of five kids won't reach the age of five, so opportunities like this are
invaluable for the locals in places like Kabul

"There's just, we just can't help some of these people. They don't want to leave after you are done with them or that you can't do something for their condition. They don't understand, they think we have a magic pill cause we're Americans, and we don't."

Dr. Harry Ward advises another patient, "We need to investigate, we can't do that here. "

Doctors like Harry Ward of Los Angeles California, who says the most basic care on a regular basis would do wonders.

"Many of them be helped with just preventive care and regular care, and regular doctor medical care and definitely with a new health system here, I think this could be turned around."

They say Afghan men and children they show patience, they are handled separately from females, who all prefer to now show their faces to strangers, but women who struggle with their own health and the health of their children tend to be more aggressive.

"We're gonna get to a point where we have to cut them off. They come out of the woodwork,” says a frustrated Specialist Morrow.

"They, everybody's kid's the worst, they all want help, I can understand that, but it's tough," adds Oregon Guard Combat Medic Kristin Sloan.

People live short lives here, often
dying from ailments that would easily
be treatable in the United States.
Here, Tylenol is a rare commodity

All told, the Americans like Angel Morrow and their British counterparts saw 390 Afghan people on this day.

Young woman reveals the hidden beauty of Afghanistan

When asked about the success of the day, Capt Gary Repp of the Oregon National Guard Security Force said, “It went pretty well, the women did get a little rowdy but the men stayed pretty disciplined.

"Of course the women are eager to get their children in and that's been part of the problem during the MedCaps, the women all want to get their children in."

More than 10 million children in Afghanistan have suffered under years of civil war and drought and now suffer under the repressive Taliban regime. One in four Afghan children will not make it to their fifth birthday. One in three Afghan children is an orphan. Almost 1/2 of Afghan children suffer chronic malnutrition. Millions face the threat of starvation.

They try to hold these donation funded medical missions twice a month in regions around Kabul, and slowly but surely, give people here better health and better ideas on personal care.

Watch the Streaming Video News Report below, direct from Kabul, Afghanistan by Tim King:

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

Salem-News.com Top Stories

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

rewilding LA: Matilija Dam History and Ecosystems

One Killed and Two Injured in Shooting Near South Salem High School

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Jody January 20, 2009 5:32 pm (Pacific time)

Anonymous??? Do you really even know this man? Have you ever worked with this man? Have you ever met this man? He has served his country honorably and his state, that he worked for. He was proven innocent. He has not abused any of his girlfriends and most stood up for him during this atrocity. He has always been a man of his word and works very hard. He loved his family and his boys. I don’t think you are being told the truth by your sources. He treated Kerry well and I seriously doubt it was any different when my husband wasn’t around. He bought her flowers, sent post cards from abroad and also holiday cards for the special occasions. He provided income for the family, paid bills, food, motorcycles for the family, etc. He has earned his right to be a free man in more ways then one. Why should he get the "electric chair," when he works, pays taxes, continues to serve his nation, promotes patriotism in every aspect and etc.? He was proven innocent in our courts! The facts proved he didn't do it. Is that not enough for you? Leave him alone and get on with your life.

"Aimee" NCO ORARNG/Student, Eugene, November 2, 2007 12:37 am (Pacific time)

I appreciate freedom of speech and have served my country for it. Sadly, while gathering articles for a college paper about my tour during Operation Enduring Freedom, I was stunned to see a comment with nothing to do with the article. I am a FEMALE medic/soldier and have met CPT Repp; he does his job as a professional soldier and leader. I met Mr. King in Afghanistan and he is a great reporter. The comments have no relevance to the article and should be removed. The story is about the soldier and the Afghan people trying to get help that the American soldiers were providing. I have personally seen the females fight to get medical aid, so CPT Repp’s comments are true and a reality that his soldiers faced while providing security for “us,” the medics. Most ‘blogs’ have a screening process and these comments that have nothing to do with the article should be removed, so that people can appreciate the work of their soldiers as written by the reporter that was there and not the words of a vindictive person. The constitution has rights for all citizens and he was proven innocent. If you dislike him, then open a ‘blog’ about it and put it in an “appropriate” forum.

Anonymous October 4, 2007 3:00 pm (Pacific time)

I agree, Mr. King. That detail was teased out of your story by a whacko. I posted the comments on 9/27 and it reads wrong. I meant to reference that whacko's comments posted 8/13. My posting came across wrong- sorry! Your story is great, Capt Repp is a hero, as is every one of our boys.

Tim King September 27, 2007 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

I do not see a relationship between this story in Afghanistan and the story from 2004 regarding Capt. Gary Repp. I mean to offend no one, but there is no connection between any events mentioned in Medford, Oregon and this story to help Afghan children.

Thank you,

Tim King
Reporter for Salem-News.com

re: Continued September 27, 2007 7:02 pm (Pacific time)

This is a great story and well worth telling! Well written, Mr. King! Strange comment here regarding Capt Repp, though. He is a true American Hero to the fullest extent and I've read into your accusation and find it to be unbelievably false!! He was PROVEN NOT GUILTY! It's such a shame that while our boys are over there fighting for our country, others are back here if free country cutting them down at the knees.

Continued August 13, 2007 4:27 am (Pacific time)

And how dare he talk about Rowdy. Gary Repp got a little rowdy when he shot his wife in the head. I will boycot this newspaper if you continue to treat this monster like a hero. He deserves the electric chair

Albert Marnell April 8, 2007 8:24 pm (Pacific time)

Most honest accounts of Iraqi civilians killed are well over the 600,000 mark. We sure know how to liberate a people....what a crock! I feel terrible about the people in Afghanistan and Iraq and their suffering. It was not helped by our quest for oil which was dirt cheap before Bush started his scheme for the benefit of the global elite.

Albert Marnell April 8, 2007 8:01 pm (Pacific time)

Retired Contractor: From being just outside of New York on 9/11 I can tell you what more people in New York believe. People within our government allowed 9/11 to happen and for the most part it worked as a "False Flag". There was not a fighter jet in the sky. I also (and I do not expect you to believe me) predicted through common sense that a different kind of war was coming. I said this for 10 years before 9/11. I also told my friends that it would be with the Arabs or the Chinese but somehow it would be different. It was and is different. "The War On Terror" something with no end and no real enemy that anyone can identify. This is great for the military, industrial, congressional, complex. All of my friends looked at me and told me to stop talking so negatively. Being half a Kraut, I know how self-inflicted wounds work, although Stalin gets the greatest dictator murderer award. You are like most people that want to serve their country. You truly want to do the right thing. I do not question your intentions or honor. But you have been tricked as has most of the country. The young boys that have died now outnumber those killed by a few domestic conspirators along with a few sap outsiders. We were attacked by Saudi's don't forget and don't forget how Bush had the Bin Laden family and many others rushed out of the country. Do me a favor and watch "Terrorstorm" by Alex Jones. Government sponsored terrorism is an old trick. This does not mean that everyone in government or global banking was in on it; ask Nick Rockefeller. Global Bankers like the criminals in the Federal Reserve have no allegiance to any country. One reason that I expected a war is that I saw more and more domestic jobs evaporating and outsourcing exploding. I knew that an underutilized population creates discontent (as in Hitler's Deutschland) and the anger has to be redirected away from multi-nationals, global bankers and government. As far as a Christian Holiday, I have to laugh. I went to 12 years of strict private Christian schools and by age 14 I would look at the Pastors as if they were psychotic with all of their fish-stories and fantasy babble.

Retired Contractor April 8, 2007 5:40 pm (Pacific time)

On September 11, 2001, our country had 3,000 people murdered whose murderer's also met and walked and prayed and planned with the Taliban, which included a promise of something far greater (for them!), than gold in their pockets. Your survival Albert has nothing to do what you do, but what others do for your safety. I hope you appreciate their sacrifice on this special day for Christians.

Albert Marnell April 8, 2007 4:02 pm (Pacific time)

As always Tim; thank You, Bonnie and Staff.

Tim King April 8, 2007 1:03 pm (Pacific time)

Albert, I always appreciate it when people draw light on other related subjects. I have seen footage of the Taliban walking around with GOP Texas politicians here in the U.S. Some describe it as two groups of religious extremists that base policy on very old books, thanks always for your thoughts.

Albert Marnell April 8, 2007 12:28 am (Pacific time)

In 1997 the Taliban had meetings in Texas with our people. They were told that if they protected the gas pipeline to the Caspian Sea we would line their pockets with gold; if they did not protect the pipeline and work with our government connected oil monopoly, we would carpet bomb them. Check out Alex Jones on Prison Planet.com, you should be able to find this and other info that is not available on T.B.

Henry Ruark December 30, 2006 8:26 am (Pacific time)

Tim: Believe this ongoing series proves "Peace and Glad Tidings" still possible even in this corrupted and corporate-controlled world... Proud to see it via S-N...

Lela December 29, 2006 7:52 pm (Pacific time)

Again, Tim, a great story. Those children are so gorgeous! I feel for the mothers, as I know how they must feel when they are turned away, but I also feel for our troops as I know they feel bad having to say no at a certain point. Thumbs up to all of you over there!

osotan December 29, 2006 7:51 pm (Pacific time)

couldn't get the stream so indvidual fotos had to suffice, this is really first rate and proves there can be some respite in the human to human approach, you all get respect for doing this and thanks to salem-news I get to follow you from new orleans to the Hindu Kush, and I'll feel a whole lot better when all of you get back to new orleans!

anonimo December 29, 2006 4:24 pm (Pacific time)

thank you!,all of you.!,come back soon, this place needs you too!

[Return to Top]