Panjshir PRT medics visit remote Afghan district

Remote Afghan
Originally uploaded by Sydney Weasel.

By Air Force Capt. Joe Campbell
Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Patients walked as far as six miles, and waited as long as eight hours, for treatment by Air Force medics from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team who visited the Paryan district on July 15 and 16.

The Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir Director of Health Dr. Jellani. The Paryan District police chief provided officers for escort and security for the event.

At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Paryan is the northernmost, and has the highest elevation, of the six districts in the Panjshir Valley. Due to the rough and narrow road, it took the team more than five hours to reach the district from their headquarters in Bazarak.

“We saw the dire need in Paryan when we were here recently to do site evaluations and humanitarian assistance drop planning,” said Air Force Maj. Kurt Workmaster, Panjshir PRT physician assistant. He is a reservist deployed from Duke Field in Florida. {Click on image for details}