FERIZAJ, Kosovo (Army News Service, Dec. 8, 1999) --
Members of Task Force Med Falcon recently completed work at the
Ferizaj Hospital, part of their "Adopt-a-Hospital" project,
which allows Kosovars adequate medical care.
        Work at the hospital included completely rewiring the
hospital's electrical system, renovating the emergency room,
installing two new washers in the basement as well as extensive
work in the operating room to include installing U.S.-type
300-pound operating room light sets and accessories, installing
an anesthesia apparatus, electrocardiogram machine, portable
X-ray, sterilizer and three infusion pumps.
        Completion of the project now allows the hospital staff
to provide adequate trauma and emergency care for Kosovars in
surrounding towns and villages on their own, according to Chief
Warrant Officer Carlo Jocson, project manager and electrical
engineer, TF Med Falcon.
        Col. Russell Taylor, former commander, TF Med Falcon,
explained the goal in the rebuilding project as  "bringing (the
hospital's) medical capability up to pre-war standards, so they
can eventually assume the health care of their own population."
        Taylor said, "With help from Northwest Medical Team and
several other governmental and non-governmental organizations
and a lot of work from my soldiers, we were able to get them
prepared for today.  Now they can start actually doing surgery
here.
        "When we first arrived, there was no medical care. We
took on the entire responsibility for life, limb and eyesight.
Because of that, we treated (more than) 130 severe trauma
casualties. That was not our usual mission, but it was the
mandate that we had," Taylor said.
        After the project was completed, TF Med Falcon soldiers,
on a voluntary basis and when the mission allowed, trained the
hospital staff and helped the staff familiarize with the new
equipment, according to Jocson.
        "I think it is going to help them because it will enable
Ferizaj (medical personnel) to stand on their own," said Staff
Sgt. Matthew Alexander with medical maintenance.  "As for us, it
is helping out tremendously by reducing the workload for the
(combat support hospital) on camp."
        Although getting the hospital on its feet and running is
a big step in helping the people of Kosovo, it is still only a
step, according to Taylor. "It may be some time (before they are
completely independent), but we will continue to provide care to
local nationals until they're ready to do it (themselves)," he
said.
        (Editor's note: DeHart is a journalist assigned to the
Task Force Falcon Public Affairs Office at Camp Bondsteel,
Kosovo.)