Afghan doctors complete joint medical program

Photo By Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon | Dr. Abdul Wahid accepts his International Medical Mentorship and Training Program graduation certificate from U.S. Air Force Col. Dave Geyer, Task Force Med commander Jan. 29. The 90-day medical course was taught by medical professionals from the United States, Egypt and Korea and is the first of its kind in Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

02.02.2009

Story by Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon
Combined Joint Task Force -101 Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Five Afghan doctors from Kapisa province graduated from the International Medical Mentorship and Training Program Jan. 29.

The program was taught by medical professionals from the United States, Egypt and Korea.

"[The students] are learning how to train their colleagues, so they can start building and developing their health sector," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Montserrat Edie-Korleski, Task Force Med plans and programs officer and a Colorado Springs, Colo., native.

The 90-day medical course, which began in early November, is the first of its kind in Afghanistan. The students divided their time between the Egyptian and Korean field hospitals and the U.S. Craig Joint Theater Hospital.

Students attended lectures at the Korean hospital, hands-on training at the Egyptian hospital and focused on life, limb and eye trauma at the U.S. hospital.

"The U.S., Korean and Egyptian medicinal communities understand that the way ahead is for the Afghan medicinal community to be able to take care of their own people," said U.S. Air Force Col. Dave Geyer, TF Med commander.

During the training, the Afghan doctors commuted from Kabul to Bagram multiple times each week for three months. The medical staff has plans to do away with that long commute by building a campus on Bagram where the students can reside during training.

"We are trying to do the best we can without a campus," said Edie-Korleski. "Once [the hospital] gets the funding and approval for the campus [the students] can reside on base."

Speaking through an interpreter, Dr. Abdul Wahid talked about the student's hopes to pass on their education to the next generation of Afghan medical professionals.

"We struggled and suffered during the time of the Taliban," said Wahid. "We will never forget the help we received."

The other graduates included Dr. Mohammad Mirza, Dr. Laila Zia, Dr. Abdul Qader and Dr. Muhamad Jasim.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2009
• Date Posted: 02.02.2009 06:10
• Story ID: 29532
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF