As Afghan Troops Take The Lead, They Take More Casualties
The Taliban have been waging a particularly bloody offensive this year now that Afghan government forces are in charge of security. The result: Afghan army and police are suffering record numbers of casualties — far more than NATO ever did at the height of its troop presence in Afghanistan.
So even as NATO forces are preparing to leave, they are working to bolster the medical capabilities of Afghan forces at hospitals, clinics and training centers across the country.
At Forward Operating Base Nolay, a joint U.S.-Afghan base in Helmand province's restive Sangin district, American forces are mentoring Afghan medics who get plenty of opportunities to practice emergency field medicine.
The Sangin district in southern part of the country is still one of the most violent places in Afghanistan. Afghan forces clash with the Taliban and other militants there on a daily basis.
On a recent afternoon, an Afghan police convoy came under fire as it passed the base, and two Afghan officers were wounded.
They were brought to the Afghan Army's new medical clinic at the base, which is little more than a prefabricated barn. There are several triage beds made out of two-by-fours, and blue bed sheets with patterns of frolicking dolphins lining the plywood walls. Still, it's a big improvement from the old clinic on the base.
Afghan medical staff treated the police officers under the supervision of U.S. medics, led by Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Frederico Sanchez.
"Does your chest still hurt?" Sanchez asked one of the wounded officers. The officer indicated he was breathing a little better, and several Afghan staff helped him across the room to a bed in the ward.
One of the two wounded officers had received a deep graze across his back from a bullet.
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