Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

Client CommentsCommander, MNSTC-I concurred, noting that environmental safeguards were sufficientfor the storage of medical supplies. While shelf-life was decreased, the temperatureremained within acceptable limits for flow-through storage. MNSTC-I reported that itwould continue to advise on development of storage requirements and procedures.Our ResponseCommander, MNSTC-I comments were responsive to the intent of the recommendation,and no additional comments are required.Added RecommendationThe difficulty in identifying the responsible parties for the equipment addressed inRecommendation 22.a. underscores the need for proactive interagency coordination andcommunication of U.S. Government agencies involved in health sector reconstruction,and the importance of establishing management controls to ensure that equipment andsupplies are promptly and effectively put to use, especially for items subject to pilferageor wastage. The requirement for multiple U.S. Government agencies to support multipleIraqi ministries, where management controls are lacking, further calls for a single U.S.Government point of coordination if U.S. taxpayer resources are to be managed in aresponsible fashion. While the U.S. Mission-Iraq Health Attaché is the most appropriatelocation for that coordination, the late development of its management capacity calls forDoD to take on this role early in a stability operation, in accordance with DoDD 3000.05.DoD should improve planning for this role and should coordinate with the Department ofState for an early handoff when the theater matures and sufficient capacity has beendeveloped within the U.S. Mission-Iraq Health Attaché’s office. As a result of theforegoing, we have added the following recommendation:22.c. We recommend that Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq coordinate with theU.S. Mission-Iraq Health Attaché to develop a transition plan whereby the U.S. Mission-Iraq Health Attaché assumes overall responsibility for interagency coordination andcommunication of U.S. Government agencies involved in health sector reform, to includeestablishment of appropriate management controls to ensure that medical equipment andsupplies are promptly and effectively put to use.Client CommentsThis is a new Recommendation. We request that Commander, MNF-I provide commentsin response to the final report.164