PRT NURISTAN MEDICS HELP GIVE BURN PATIENT SENSE OF HOPE

By Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs



PRT NURISTAN MEDICS HELP GIVE BURN PATIENT SENSE OF HOPE

By Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team medical team helped a four year-old boy from the Alishang village in Laghman province recover from second degree burns on both arms and minor burns on his face, on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 6.
Afsar Khan was playing in his home, approximately three weeks prior, with his three brothers and bumped into the kitchen stove, spilling a pot of boiling water on him, causing burns on his upper body, mostly his left arm.
After a local clinic in Laghman did everything they could for the boy, his father, Noor Muhammad took him to the Nuristan PRT medical team, Dreiling said. After showing his referral at the control point, he was escorted to the PRT clinic where he was greeted by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Destiney Dowdy, medical service journeyman from Russellville, Arkansas, ten days after the incident, on Sept. 24.
“I didn’t know how bad his burns were when Afsar and his father came into the clinic,” said Dowdy. “As soon as we took the bandages off, I was shocked at how badly his wounds were bleeding. It was a lot worse than I pictured it to be.”
“I was in my morning briefing when I got a call from Dowdy, saying that there was a patient who needed to be seen,” stated Dreiling. “The bandages weren’t taken off until I got there and I was surprised to see how bad it was. It’s not a typical injury you normally see.”
According to Dreiling, when Afsar first came into the clinic, he was constantly crying from the pain and very uncomfortable the entire time. He wasn’t used to seeing Americans, let alone servicmembers in uniform with weapons. His father was reluctant to allow the medics to treat his son, but knew he had tried all he could and was more concerned with Afsar’s well-being.

“I hope the people here put more trust in Americans because we really are here to help and our medics want to make sure that they get the medical attention they need,” Dowdy said.
Since that day, Afsar hasn’t cried at all and he looks forward to going back to the clinic every other day. He even helps to take off the bandages and holds it in place when they’re being wrapped around his arm, according to Dreiling.
“It’s certainly rewarding, as a U.S. servicemember, to be able to go to other countries and help those around us who really need it and who probably can’t afford to see a doctor,” said Dreiling. “It makes my job worthwhile and I look forward to seeing Afsar. He truly is my favorite patient.”
Most of Afsar’s wounds are healed, with the exception of his left arm, which the PRT Nuristan medics are routinely treating to make sure that he has a full recovery.
The Nuristan PRT is a joint force consisting of Navy, Air Force, and Army. The services work side by side also with the local community in order to provide structure and governance within the area of operation.

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afsar Khan, a 4-year-old from the Alishang village, takes off his own bandage while getting his routine treatment on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 6. Afsar is seen by the PRT medics in order to treat his second degree burn, which occurred three weeks ago and is progressively healing. (U.S. photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED)

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Navy Lt. Jennifer Dreiling, medical department head and senior medical officer from, McLean, Virginia, applies antibacterial cream to 4-year-old Alishan village native Afsar Khan's arm on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 6. Afsar is routinely seen by the PRT medics in order to treat his second degree burn, which occurred three weeks ago and is progressively healing. (U.S. photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED)

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Destiney Dowdy, medical service journeyman from Russellville, Arkansas, puts a smile on 4-year-old Alishan village native Afsar Khan's face during his routine visit to treat his left arm. Afsar is seen by the PRT medics in order to treat his second degree burn, which occurred three weeks ago and is progressively healing. (U.S. photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED)