CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - As part of the Iraqi Partnership Program, designed to help restore and improve the Iraqi medical program, 15 Iraqi army soldiers recently completed a four-day Combat Lifesaver Course operated by U.S. Army medical units at Camp Victory.
The 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 256th Area Support Medical Company, 520th ASMC and 128th Ground Ambulance provided instructors and a translator, with additional support from the Multi-National Corp-Iraq Surgeon's office and an Iraqi security forces support team adviser to conduct the joint training event to provide CLS training to IA soldiers.
One of the goals for the Iraqi Partnership Program is to grant IA soldiers the means to operate a Level II sick call clinic, to increase the IA's capabilities to provide care for Iraqi citizens.
Instructors taught the course to the IA soldiers, while Dr. Sami Juma, 421st MMB special adviser, translated the lessons, enabling the IA to fully understand the curriculum. "When the Iraqi soldiers did not understand the medical aspect of a subject, whether it is medical knowledge, or Combat Lifesaver training, I explained it to them in Arabic and in very simple and practical methods to understand and comprehend," Juma said.
Juma is a liaison instructor and is a family physician by profession. He holds a medical license to practice medicine in California and works to translate the medical presentations in real time, from English to Arabic and in medical terminology.
The IA soldiers covered various topics during their four-day training, which included evaluating a casualty, heat injuries, bleeding and shock, identifying neuro c-spine injuries, chest injuries, first aid, management of burns, vital signs and airway management.
Of the multitude of tasks administered by the instructors, IA soldiers were very receptive and gained a good understanding of the lessons with the assistance of Juma, and IA soldiers were eager to learn. "They were ecstatic and grateful for this training opportunity that the US Military has provided for them to be better medics, to help save lives," Juma said.
On the second day of CLS training, Brig. Gen. Jowed Ali Mahde, surgeon, Iraqi Ground Forces Command, visited the IA soldiers to observe their progress. "Most of the Iraqi staff in the medical field like to train," said Madhe, who was encouraged by the positive attitude IA soldiers displayed toward the course instructors.
Sgt. Tyler Atkinson, 256th ASMC Ambulance platoon sergeant, who proctored the course to the IA soldiers, said, "Many of the soldiers had no prior medical training and took it upon themselves to close the gap and become proficient."
Madhe supported the IA soldiers by reminding them of the purpose of training received and said, "without training we cannot do a good job" in the medical field. He also said, "with training we cannot have a successful work [environment]," expressing his gratitude for the Iraqi partnership with U.S. military for training the IA soldiers to increase their medical competencies.
On the third day of CLS training, IA soldiers conducted a series of practical exercises to indicate how much they had retained, before taking the final practical examination to complete the course.
The IA soldiers fared well on the practical exercises, and the instructors were surprised how quick they grasped the lessons.
"They met the standards and performed beautifully," said Atkinson. "I was extremely pleased with their capability and feel completely confident that they could go on to more advanced medical training and be just as successful."
For the 421st MMB civil military operations officer, 1st Lt. Emanuel Pierre, who supervised the training said, "Each day they noticeably held their heads higher, because they have knowledge that most of their comrades don't have."
At the completion of their training, IA soldiers were required to complete a hands-on practical examination to demonstrate how to administer an intravenous fluid, and had scenarios where they had to provide medical attention to wounded IA soldiers in a hostile combat environment, all based upon the lessons they learned during the course, and had to take and pass a written examination.
"The training is important and necessary, and I consider it essential," said Mahde. "The staff has taken advantage and benefitted from the training, especially from the Combat Lifesaver Course."
On the final day, the IA soldiers had to give an intravenous fluid to classmates, took a realistic scenario portion exam and completed a 23-question written examination, demonstrating all of what they had learned during their training.
"This training has given this cadre of Iraqi soldiers a solid foundation in medical knowledge and in combat lifesaving techniques. They can use it to help the Iraqi people and save lives anytime anywhere," said Juma.
At the completion of the training, certificates of participation were presented to the IA Soldiers by Mahde and Col. Ronald A. Maul, Task Force 44 Medical Command commander, for all their hard work and effort in the course.
"They are now empowered to help save the lives of their friends and family," Pierre said.
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2009 07:00 |
| Story ID: | 30558 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 658 |
| Downloads: | 595 |
This work, Iraqis learn lifesaving techniques, by 1LT Jovany Munoz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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