[darrels joy]

Coalition doctors give Zaleikha a reason to smile

Story by 2nd Lt. Christy Kercheval, Combined Joint Task Force 76 Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan?Knowing the skills of the Coalition doctors at Bagram, Zaleikha and her uncle hoped just showing up at the Bagram gate would be enough.

The pair traveled from Farah, on the other side of Afghanistan from Bagram, to see if Coalition surgeons could operate on 10-year-old Zaleikha and repair her cleft palate.

Once the doctors were made aware of the girl?s needs, they were eager to do what they could for her. Colonel Dallas Homas, a Combined Joint Task Force 76 surgeon, deployed here with the 25th Infantry Division (Light), performed the surgery March 2 at the U.S. hospital here at Bagram. Afterwards he said he was pleased with the operation, and it went well and looked very good.

Homas also said that immediately following the procedure, Zaleikha?s uncle was very happy and was smiling, and repeatedly gave the troops in the hospital the ?thumbs up? sign.

Zaleikha and her uncle were eager to begin the long journey back from the Bagram hospital shortly after the surgery, so Coalition doctors armed them with antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, preventative antibiotic medication and Tylenol for the pain. They were also encouraged to visit the Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team to see the physician?s assistant and get the sutures removed.

Captain Winnie Paul, a physician?s assistant at the Farah PRT treated Zaleikha Thursday, and removed her sutures, ?She looked great and was all smiles.?

One of the more noticeable things, she said, was that Zaleikha no longer covered her mouth with her hand, ?she looked quite happy and in no distress when we saw her,? Paul said.

Paul said was glad to see her come to the PRT for treatment and was even more pleased to know that they had made a friend. Though she no longer needs the assistance of the doctors, Zaleikha said she would come to visit again soon in a few weeks, ?just to say hello.?

A two-hour procedure in an operating room in Bagram made all the difference for one Afghan girl and her family, and gave the Coalition forces involved something they?ll never forget.