FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq, June 30, 2006 — U.S. soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, currently working with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Infantry Division, Multinational Division–Baghdad, were able to provide desperately needed medical attention to an Iraqi citizen who was close to death June 17 at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah.
Hiba Mohammed Abdul Ridha was injured by shrapnel during a terrorist mortar attack on her college May 2.
The injury was unable to heal because of a preexisting lupus infection. Ridha's father, Sheik Raheem Shareef Jabratallah, a tribal leader in Fedaliyah, contacted the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, in a last-ditch effort to save his daughter's life.
The family brought Ridha directly to the gates of Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah, said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joshua Prentice, battle captain, Battalion Tactical Operations Center. Ridha's condition was assessed at the gate, and it was clear she was in need of immediate assistance. Because of lupus-like symptoms, it was determined that the leg was in danger, Prentice said.
"Six weeks ago, she was in class at her college and there was a mortar attack. She received a minor injury," said U.S. Army Capt. David McCaughrin, fire support officer and civil affairs officer-in-charge for the battalion.
"Unable to heal, it was only a matter of time before the wound became gangrenous," McCaughrin said.
Gangrene, once started is usually irreversible. In this case it progressed so fast Ridha’s life was in danger.
"The girl definitely would have died," said Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini, commander, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment. "Certainly in a week or two, and probably within three or four days."
Ridha had several medical problems. Gangrene was one, but liver failure was another, separate problem, said U.S. Army Dr. (Capt.) Michael Curtis, battalion surgeon.
"When she arrived, she was unstable, and we were able to stabilize her," said Curtis, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.
"Here, we were able to have our female medics and our female providers care for her," Curtis said. The 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, took pains to accommodate Ridha in a manner sensitive to Iraqi cultural sensitivities.
"As it turned out, once we got her in here, it was obvious her leg actually should have been amputated a couple of weeks ago," said Bertolini. "Obviously, her family was very grateful for the care."
At this point, the case no longer focused on the loss of a limb; Ridha's life was in danger. Third Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment personnel made sure that females were tasked to transport her to the aid station, and that only females were in the room where she was cared for, said McCaughrin.
Ridha remained in the care of 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, for 24 hours. The soldiers contacted U.S. Army Dr. (Maj.) Aaron Baker, brigade surgeon, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, at which point she was medevaced to the 10th Combat Support Hospital and then sent to Medical City Hospital for further treatment.
"We remained culturally sensitive, and when we do that, it shows the local Iraqis that we care about their well-being," said Bertolini. Giving this type of aid demonstrates to the local populace that the U.S. Army is willing to provide scarce resources to help them, Bertolini said.
Jabratallah is a good friend of Bertolini's, as well an extremely influential member of the community, McCaughrin said.
"He has been a big part of our security here," said Bertolini.
