America's North Shore Journal

We were able to talk with Colonel John A. Powell, Multi- National Security Transition Command Iraq (MNSTC-I) Assistant Chief of Staff, Health Affairs at a recent Bloggers’ Roundtable. Col. Powell is working with Iraqi counterparts on improving medical capacity and building capabilities of the Iraqi security forces. He is also a native of America’s North Shore, as a native of Ogdensburg. One of the issues involved with modernizing and restoring the Iraqi armed forces is their access to basic and advanced medical care. The Ministry of Defense has, on paper, a medical organization for that purpose. In reality, Col. Powell stated, personnel shortages hamper the ability to provide care. Of the 800 slots for medical doctors, only about 130 are filled. Many Iraqi doctors have fled the country, and others are not enticed … Read entire article »