Afghan boy to receive live-saving surgery in the U.S.

Blackanthem Military News, BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, May 07, 2006

A 7-year-old boy from Sharana in Khowst Province will travel to the United States to undergo life-saving surgery thanks to the care and diligence of American doctors and soldiers at Forward Operating Base Salerno.

A press conference will be held Monday, 10 a.m. at the U.S. Coalition Hospital here to discuss his case and treatment before departing for the U.S. for surgery.

Mohammed Omar suffers from a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition causes very poor blood flow and often leaves the patient’s complexion a dark blue hue rather than a more healthy pink. Left untreated, Tetralogy of Fallot is fatal.

Mohammed’s father, Fateh Mohammed, first brought his son to the American military hospital in Khowst about a year ago. Their doctors petitioned the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense and American hospitals to approve the boy’s treatment in the United States in a measure to save his life.

The Larry King Heart Foundation will sponsor Mohammed and his father for surgery at the Children’s National Medical Center , Washington , D.C., and the U.S. Secretary of Defense has approved their travel to the U.S. on military transportation. The hard work and diligence of numerous military doctors and Soldiers have made this long journey possible.

News media interested in covering this event should contact the CFC - A press information center at 070-276-545 to reserve a seat on transportation that will be provided from Camp Eggers , Kabul to Bagram Air Base. News media arriving Bagram on their own must arrive by 9:30 a.m. to be escorted in.

By COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN
COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN