Jordan Times
Friday, May 21, 2004
King issues directive to
increase staff in Mazar-e-Sharif field hospital
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah, Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed
Forces, directed concerned authorities to expand the personnel serving in the
military-run field hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan.
According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the King's gesture came following
“calls from brotherly Afghan people who need more of the treatment, medical care
and quality services offered by the Jordanian field hospital...”
Petra said the 50-bed facility has treated about 300,000 cases and operated on
about 3,500 patients since it began operations in war-torn Afghanistan more than
two years ago.
The hospital offers help “round-the-clock to whoever needs it, regardless of
religion, sex and ethnic origin,” officials there had told The Jordan Times
during a visit to the facility arranged by the Armed Forces.
After the defeat of the former ruling Taleban regime by US forces, several
countries in the world started sending aid to the war-shattered country.
Jordan was one of the first, and the only Arab country to send medical
assistance.
As the Jordanian staff arrived there, they had to overcome several hurdles to
adapt to and be accepted by the community in the city, particularly a prevailing
bad image about Arabs.
“The first time we came here it was very difficult to deal with the local
community, who think that all Arabs are the same. However, a few days later, our
195 medical and 158 military personnel managed to turn the hatred into a solid
friendship,” said a Jordanian Lieutenant Colonel who was serving there during
the visit.