From CENTCOM:


Release Date: 12/4/2007

Release Number: 07-01-03P

Description: BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An Afghan doctor and a Coalition forces medic combined efforts to save an 18-month-old Afghan infant from a drug overdose near Cahar Cineh, Oruzgan Province, Nov. 30.

The father brought the baby to the doctor who in turn brought the family to a nearby Coalition base. The female infant was seizing, unresponsive, had shallow breathing, and an erratic heart rate.

“She was sick and wouldn’t go to sleep so the mother gave the baby a hashish pill to help her go to sleep yesterday,” said the father.

After stabilizing the infant, the medic called and consulted with the U.S. poison control for her treatment. The medics worked through the night to keep the infant alive. The fragile baby’s vitals fluctuated and temperature rose to as high as 103.8 degree Fahrenheit. Her breathing remained erratic and she suffered multiple seizures.

The medics gave her the necessary medicine to break the fever. However, after a short period of time her condition began to deteriorate.

“Her vital signs went awry and she felt extremely hot, with a temperature around 104 degrees,” the medic said. “We used wet paper towels to try to actively cool her in conjunction with antipyretics, Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Her temperature lowered to around 102 degrees and she stabilized and fell back asleep.”

The infant’s condition slowly improved with the constant care of the Afghan doctor and Coalition forces medics.

“After caring for her for two days, she was well enough to return home,” the medic said. “Caring for Afghan citizens is part of our mission.”

Contact Information:
CJTF-82 Public Affairs Office Tel – 0093-799-063-013
DSN: 318-431-7852
bagrammoc-AT-afghan.swa.army.mil

For more news and information about CJTF-82, please visit www.cjtf82.com

Labels: Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield, children, Good News, medical assistance, medics