DIYALA — More than 250 villagers here were treated or immunized at a temporary clinic in the once al Qaida-controlled village of Shuzayf, April 23.

Men, women and children lined up outside a school in anticipation of receiving medical care that otherwise wouldn't be easy to obtain.

As children frowned and cried from seeing the needle that would deliver vaccinations of all types, parents smiled knowing their kids were being treated with the best medical care in the area.

Leading doctor of the clinic and director of Udaim Medical Center, Dr. Omar Hashim Achmed, said the villagers were too far from Udaim and needed medical treatment after years of fighting with al-Qaida.

"We came to this village to give medical care and vaccinations to the children,” Achmed said. “We are very happy to do our work here in a village for people who were exposed to terrorism for a long time."

The medical clinic visit included immunizations, health screenings and the administration of medicines of all types. Men and women were able to consult with several different doctors and get routine checkups. Those who had injuries were treated and received medicines. Children received routine vaccinations and got checkups as well.

At one point, a child receiving a vaccination clenched his fists and began to cry as the doctor poked needle into his skin. Even as the needle penetrated his skin, his face lit up and he giggled and joked to his brother, amused at the lack of pain; his enthusiasm helped to persuade other children not to worry.

Iraqi doctors were in charge of setting up the clinic and the Iraqi Army provided security.

IA soldiers, working with Coalition forces, passed out flyers the day before the event, helping the event's success, according to Staff Sgt. Toloai Sosene. He said the flyers were passed out to Shuzayf as well as all the neighboring villages.