Dozens of patients eagerly wait in the morning air for the doors to the new healthcare clinic to open. Mothers and fathers hold their children's hands in anticipation of getting them immunized, a man in his 20s has flu-like symptoms and an older gentleman wants a regular checkup.
The scene of patients standing in line is one that could happen at any healthcare clinic grand opening in America, but this time it took place one day in January 2008 in Fallujah, Iraq. The opening of the Public Health Clinic Nazal is one of many examples of the transformation of a once war-torn city that in 2004 was ground zero for major battles between U.S. Marines and Iraqi insurgents.
The Public Health Clinic ...