PAKTYA PROVINCE – ANSF servicemembers and their dependants are entitled to free military health care throughout the country, but families do not often use this service, because they either do not know about the program, or the nearest military facility is still too far away.
However, the Paktya Regional Military Hospital, a 50-bed inpatient facility, sees hundreds of outpatients daily, and it's spreading the word about the program to get necessary medical attention to even more patients.
“We're hoping it's an all-ANA op – Afghans taking care of Afghans,” said AF Capt. Tess Marcial. “We offer suggestions and provide materials, but the patients need to trust and gain confidence in the medical professionals available to them.”
The hospital staff and Medical MiTT spent 3 months preparing the new program. During this time, they focused on facilitating base access for female dependant, identifying the program as a priority and getting the info out to key leadership, supplying medication and hygienic products, and preparing an examination room with a private entrance.
“Most families don’t know that these services are offered here in the Paktya community,” said Marcial. “My hope for this program is that families will become aware of this benefit as an entitlement, and get the feeling there's an extended military family here to meet their medical needs.”
