SCANIA BASE, Iraq, July 31, 2008
Iraq's Burn Unit Working Miracles
Tough Volunteers At Military Base Have Helped Heal At Least 1,000 Iraqi Children
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Play CBS Video Video Helping Burn Victims In Iraq U.S. troops are making remarkable progress in their care of burn victims at a military base in Iraq. Elizabeth Palmer reports on how the team makes due with volunteers and donated supplies.
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Video Eye To Eye: Iraq Burn Unit Sgt. Joe Barzeski treats burn patients at the Scania Base in Iraq. He has needed to beg for medical supply donations and research treatment techniques online but he has made some amazing progress.
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Haider, who was drenched in boiling tea, was on his 12th visit to the clinic. (CBS)
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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.
If you'd like information about helping the burn unit continue its service, please send us an e-mail.
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See all 72 CommentsThe address again is:
Scania Burn Clinic
CSC Scania
APO/AE 09304
and again thank you all from the kids!
Posted by Vader46
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.
Have a great life.
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.
paj@wyoming.com
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.
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.
The address again is:
Scania Burn Clinic
CSC Scania
APO/AE 09304
and again thank you all from the kids!
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
I am also seeking info as to how we can help provide medical supplies for this clinic.
Please contact me so we can possibly work together to get the info.
hstyler@nycap.rr.com
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You are not forgotten. Keep up the good work trooper.
None of the children here are hurt by the Military action most are from abuse and unsafe acts. I''ll continue to Treat as many as I can every day and You''ll rest in the comfort of your home and abuse enjoy the rights of a free country.
Posted by WhyAfghan
I know about the struggles of the military - since I served. Have you?
You are welcome to keep a narrow-minded focus if you like. In my country, we are free to speak and highlight problems (including political ones - like the cause of this war) without fear of reprisal. At least, so far. Our rights have eroded significantly over the last few years and that is a destructive trend, thank you very much.
What many people fail to consider is over the past couple of centuries millions of Americans have died protecting the freedoms we hold dear - and yet, this administration acts like a King and takes our rights away for its own political gain.
I choose not to hand that victory to our enemies without vigorously resisting though increasing awareness.
And if you''re blind to that issue I suggest you are part of the problem.
This is not about me at all - I didn''t start this war, I''m not going to end it - but I sure as hell won''t tolerate it without increasing awareness of what was done.
Just because you may be content with the status quo doesn''t mean your responsibilities to future generations is abdicated. They are the ones who will be paying for this war.
America - love it or fix it! Don''t stick your head in the sand.
Mans inhumanity to man.
I heard that even untrained G.I.`s are practicing medicine in some circumstances.
I was just wondering, I imagune the G.I.`s could probably use some antibiotics and pain killers,
is there anyway, Americans can donate pain pills and antibiotics out of their medicine chests, I know my bathroom is just full of old stuff, some of these people could have,
all I need to know is when and where do I drop it off at?
sincerely Fuzzy
smurfcrusher - get over yourself. It is not about why we are in Iraq - it is about the noble efforts of our service members. Someday you may realize the hardhsips and struggles of our military.
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