Iraq's Burn Unit Working Miracles

(CBS)  Sgt. Joe Barzeski is the closest thing in Central Iraq to a miracle worker.

And 11-year-old Ali is going to need a miracle to get over burns from a kerosene stove.

"(The skin) has to come off so that the medicine will work," Barzeski tells CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer as he starts treating the child. "Plus, this will get all crusty, and scab up and that will be an ugly scar."

The soldiers turn up the radio to drown out the crying. Conditions are primitive. But even so, the burn unit is filled to capacity.

It's tucked away on a U.S. base that's known as the biggest gas station in Iraq. It's where military convoys refuel - while on the far side, Iraqi families, as many as 80 a day, wait patiently to be admitted to a clinic that's more M.A.S.H. unit than E.R.

Barzeski had no medical training before he joined the Army - so he's been learning on the job.

Many of the volunteers are tough convoy security guards. They dish out tenderness and Tylenol, or painstakingly changing burn victims' dressings while their trucks are serviced.

Haider is on his 12th visit to the clinic after he was drenched in boiling tea. Cases like his led Barzeski to invent a treatment to prevent crippling keloid scars.

"There was a boy who came in my son's age, and he couldn't turn his waist because he had these painful keloids on his hips, and that's when I decided I was going to try and do something," Barzeski said.

He treats the patients with what he calls "mayo," a blend of steroids, antibiotics and something called medi-honey - spread on the bodies of little patients to help them re-grow healthy skin.

Drugs and bandages often run dangerously low. They have to be donated - as the clinic can't draw on Army stock.

"Its against the medical rules of engagement," Barzeski said. "Since we don't cause the injury, we can't treat them with our supplies."

Despite chronic shortages, the clinic has treated more than 1,000 children. Barzeski knows most of them by name. He's got a special soft spot for Fatima.

She was in such pain last week she refused to bend her arm or walk. This week, he's sweet-talked her into physiotherapy - disguised as fun.

"She likes the music that's in there. She kept on saying "dance, dance." And I said, 'I'm not going to dance, but if you walk and you can get your arm straightened out, I'll dance with you,'" he said. "I think I'll have to dance with her with this Friday."

Here at least, the battle for hearts over minds is over. Joe Barzeski and his volunteers have won.

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If you'd like information about helping the burn unit continue its service, please send us an e-mail.

[an82ndmom]

I am glad to see that there was finally a story about the burn clinic, two weeks after my son came home from serving 13months at Scania. The burn clinic needs more publicity for donations. We can all do our part, the kids deserve a chance.

[smurfcrusher]

To all that have viewed this video, please remember that we cannot use perscriptions from your medicine cabinet, but such things as childrens tylenol, motrin, hydrocortizone cream, etc. Bandages such as Kling, Kerlix (very much needed) and burn dressings. Also kids toys, clothing and both adult and childrens hygienge items.

The address again is:

Scania Burn Clinic
CSC Scania
APO/AE 09304

and again thank you all from the kids!

Posted by Vader46

[smurfcrusher]

crazyjoker05 - God loves you much more.

Just kidding. I don''t speak for God. Other people claim to be mouthpieces for His word.

I wouldn''t last a day there, eh? Let''s hope we never find out. Of course you''d never see me there, because I know what the war was about.

Good luck freeing our oil, ''cause that''s why you''re there.

It''s no coincidence during the invasion and aftermath the troops were ordered to protect the Oil Ministry building and not the many drums of yellowcake uranium left over from the ''90s, sitting right where the nuclear inspectors left it before hostilities.

A pity too, because the local population emptied the drums and used them for drinking water, not knowing they were poisoning their bodies with Uranium ore.

I''ll think of you the next time I fill up the vehicle.

[crazyjoker05]

Smurfcrusher, GOD LOVES YOU. If I were you, I would stick with crushing smurfs. Because you wouldn''t last a day here.

Have a great life.

[tiny1pj]

SFCSchenk, Thank you for your service!!!

As you probably already know, like many veterans, I did try to re-up when things started, but was denied due to health problems. I even tried to get the Army to use me as a civilian volunteer (I am an RN) ANYWHERE, also a NO GO. Oh Well, SNAFU. So, since I am unable to help in the sandbox, I will do what I can here.
Through my own efforts, my local American Legion Post, and the local church of Christ, we will try to get you some supplies sent out. Please feel free to contact me directly, as this would be something my Legion Post would like to do much more with over time.

God bless and protect you and all there with you, and especially those you are serving!
Paul J.
[e-mail]

[rjmoen]

So proud of all of you for carrying on with this mission. Keep up the good work.

[smurfcrusher]

"crazyjoker05: you would have felt right at home in Nazi Germany. "

It''s an interesting question really... how many millions of lives would have been saved and suffering prevented if Hitler''s troops actually asked themselves if the war they are fighting is just or not. I mean, the soldiers were just people - like us.

I guess it''s difficult to make an informed decision when you''re brainwashed by lies. This is why we need to learn from history - so it isn''t repeated, and so we can prevent future "preemptive" attacks.

War should be a last resort - which it was not in Iraq.

Only when war is truly necessary - and not because of lies - should it be fought, and fought with such ferocity that it serves as its own deterrent.

And certainly not as some twisted "tradition" of self-worship for glory. Remember, these are people on both sides of the conflict.

[smurfcrusher]

crazyjoker05: you would have felt right at home in Nazi Germany.

I''m sure you''ll be happy as a clam as long as some country tries to kill another country.

The reasons don''t matter to you - just as long as you can wave a flag and get some glory.

That''s quite a contrast with people who are truly generous - and try to help others for their sake, not their own fame and glory.

[vader46]

To all that have viewed this video, please remember that we cannot use perscriptions from your medicine cabinet, but such things as childrens tylenol, motrin, hydrocortizone cream, etc. Bandages such as Kling, Kerlix (very much needed) and burn dressings. Also kids toys, clothing and both adult and childrens hygienge items.

The address again is:

Scania Burn Clinic
CSC Scania
APO/AE 09304

and again thank you all from the kids!

[crazyjoker05]

Smurfcrusher, thanks for letting me know that you have never been to Iraq. Continue to spread the word that you are a non supporter. I am sure that most of us can get the money together so that you can move to Iraq. Or maybe even China. China hasn''t gone to war with anyone for quiet a while, you should feel right at home with them. Or better yet, France. You sound like a person that fit right in with that passive country.

I have made the commitment just like my father and grandfather before me did. I will exhaust my energy here to protect people like you back home. Just do me a favor and keep your mouth shut about something you know nothing about. See this first hand and then talk to me about statistics. You must have been an only child because you know nothing about standing up and defending a fellow brother in arms. You are all about HAND OUTS!!! Earn your freedom on some form or fashion or quit running your mouth about the people that provide it for you. Feel free to email me directly. jimmyjams24 at yahoo dot com