Medical teams from the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here assisted with the medical evacuation of a critically ill 8-month-old Iraqi infant girl May 18 and 19.
According to officials, Fatemah Kalil Hassan was transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Columbus, Ohio, to undergo specialized treatment for an abnormal growth of a blood vessel on the right side of her face and neck. The life-threatening growth was obstructing her airway.
Lt. Col. James Bruhl, director of operations for the 791st EAES, said his medical teams configured the oxygen, monitors and equipment for the plane and provided assistance as needed.
“It’s nice to do something like this and provide humanitarian aid to this baby,” said Colonel Bruhl. “We’re happy to help whenever we can.”
The process started when Fatemah’s 21-year-old mother, Beyda’a Amir Abduk Jabar, contacted an Army doctor at a U.S. medical clinic in Iraq.
Capt. Chris Grippo, operations officer with the Theater Patient Movement Requirement Center-Europe here, said they quickly set the wheels in motion to coordinate the movement because of the baby’s urgent need for care.
Captain Grippo said his center, in conjunction with the Joint Patient Movement Requirement Center in Qatar, was able to complete the necessary paperwork and secure approval from the Secretary of the Air Force and all other relevant parties.
An 89th Airlift Squadron aircrew, from the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, flew the mission on a C-141 cargo plane.
Fatemah and her mother were accompanied by an Arabic translator and physician’s assistant from the 230th Support Battalion Army National Guard unit stationed in Iraq.
The first leg of the journey flew here from Iraq May 18. After an overnight stay at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the baby and her mother continued on the final portion of their trip to Ohio May 19.
Ms. Jabar expressed her appreciation for all the efforts and speed in which everyone responded to get her baby the care she needed.
“I’m a bit nervous, but I am very grateful to everyone for helping us out,” said Ms. Jabar. “Thank you very much for all that you are doing.”
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