Hospital Opening Furthers Iraqi Progress

More good news from Iraq!

While I don't think we should ignore the bad news or disregard the problems, part of the solution is to counter the doomsayers and detractors. We can create a (true) sense of momentum by recognizing the progress that has been made.

Imagine the impression it would create if the media reported on one hospital opening for every (redundant) article about Gitmo, for ever car bombing, an article about why an Iraqi policeman or soldier joined up despite the danger.

Media doesn't just reflect reality, it shapes it. It is about time they took responsibility for that power.

Check this out:

Hospital Opening Furthers Iraqi Progress

U.S. Army soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Liberty have worked with Iraqi health officials in Owja to open a hospital for the general public...

The hospital served Saddam Hussein’s family and friends, but has been closed for several years. There was much to be done before the hospital was ready for the public.

The hospital is open, but there are still challenges ahead that face Owja Hospital and the Iraqi medical community.

“One of the shortages that they have around here is both female nurses and female doctors,” Wood said. “Basically because the old regime stopped the training programs in the schools, which produced the large numbers of nurses and female doctors. Dr. Hassan is concentrating hard on the educational aspect of medical coverage here in this area.”

“American people are giving us a lot of help,” Hassan said. “Some of this help is by sending their children, sons and daughters and some of them gave their lives to give us freedom. So when they are trying their best for us, why shouldn’t we try to help ourselves also?”

The hospital has 40 beds and the medical coverage is free for the Iraqi people.