By Maj. Di Grazia, Chief Internal Information, ISAF HQ PIO
The more ISAF mission goes into specific, the more help Afghan people receive. Arrived on June the 19th, the Lithuanian personnel started giving their personal advice on many matters. Based in Chagcharan, Ghor province, western central, together with local Provincial Reconstruction Team, the Lithuanian personnel rendered a very welcome visit to the city hospital of Chagcharan.
First came into scene a group of electrical engineers whose core business was to create a safe environment where the medical team could get the most out of the facilities. The Lithuanian engineers rebuilt completely the operating room lighting system, that was in a pitiful state, then their attention was directed toward the hospital electricity supplies, that needed to be updated to a satisfying level. The oxygen supply too got their attention, and new installation took place. The hospital water supplies and a much-needed efficient sewage system received a tantamount attention also from ISAF, USAid and local Afghan authorities.
And now the Lithuanian Medical Team could fully get into the act: water samples were collected by Major Gitis Dominaitis, Lithuanian PRT surgeon, from Chagcharan bore-wells during a week long period. That span of time gave him a statistic sight over the microbiological content of the precious liquid. We asked Dr. Dominaitis on his proceedings, and here's his answer:" Drinking water, in the city of Chagcharan is a very serious concern for people living in urban area, and, therefore, this is for us the most important issue". All of the water samples collected in the area are now under test in the PRT Medical Laboratory and the test results will be handed over to the Governor of the Ghor province by the PRT Commander, Colonel Gintautas Zenkevicius.
Asked to comment, Major Vilius Kociubaitis, PRT chief doctor, said:"We are very proud of having such a good friendship with local doctors and we are ready to share our experiences with them" and went on stating:"We are trying to improve the local hospital technical facilities, which we found in very poor condition".
We then asked what kind of immediate results should the people in Chagcharan expect, in terms of increased hygienic conditions, and he explained what follows:" The people of Chagcharan will be informed through the local radio about the condition of their wells and will be warned about those wells from which water has to be boiled before it can be safely used". The Lithuanian PRT projected itself in the Area Of Operation supplying a well equipped operational medical center as well as biological laboratory. Their team is 170 people strong, including civilians and military personnel, including one paramedic and one nurse. They are part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, here to support local people and institutions in creating a stable and secure environment in this war torn country.