Photo By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson | Col. Gerard Caron demonstrates the ease of a self-administering tourniquet during the...... read more read more
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan — A gathering of medical minds met, April 30, for a coalition Medical Symposium sponsored by the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group.
Guests of the symposium included personnel from the Spanish coalition medical staff, U.S. Embassy medical unit, Peace Corps medical staff, and representatives from the Bishkek Research Center of Trauma and Orthopedics. Along with 376th EMDG personnel, they joined to discuss everything from mobile surgical movement, field anesthesia, critical care air transport, and aeromedical evacuation.
The purpose of the symposium was to share information to those whom have oral or written support arrangements for medical support with the base in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies such as air disasters or terrorist attacks.
"We were very pleased to host this group of top surgeons from Kyrgyzstan," said Col. (Dr.) Gerard Caron, 376th EMDG commander. "We all have in common that we care for our patients and want them to have the best possible outcome so we have a common bond that is easy to translate," said Colonel Caron who is deployed from Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
After friendly handshakes and greetings, the Manas and Spanish coalition medical teams shared information about surgical techniques, stabilizing patients, aeromedical capabilities, and other informative medical topics.
The slide presentations depicted the realities of war such as treating wounded coming off the battlefield with only self-aid and buddy care-type treatment. Cases discussed included personnel that came in wearing tourniquets, Soldiers with lost limbs, and even wounded literally holding themselves together as they arrived for treatment. Further discussions included the current capabilities available and "lessons learned" as technology increases and the wars continue on.
After the lectures, the guests received a hands-on opportunity to handle the medical equipment that combat medical teams commonly use in forward operating locations. The symposium attendees got to try on the heavy body armor designed to protect individuals from the lethality of war as well as the medical equipment they carry and use in battle and move with at a moment's notice.
"The symposium was very interesting, we learned a lot of information about medical facilities, the level of medical care available, and about how military airplanes can be configured to handle aeromedical evacuation," said Gulniza Aitmambetova, who is a resident of general surgery at the National Surgical Center at the Ministry of Health in the Kyrgyz capitol of Bishkek. "I think it's good to have such symposiums here in Kyrgyzstan."
"The information will be very useful," added Ms. Aitmambetova. "I was extremely interested in the equipment they use, such as the resuscitation equipment. I think this symposium would stimulate our doctors to do more work to advance our medical knowledge here."
After the conference lectures ended and questions were answered, the table-top symposium switched gears to a standing tradition of toast-making and bread-breaking, followed by a delicious lunch prepared and served by the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.
"The benefits of this symposium are priceless," said Capt. Stephen Martin, 376th EMDG medical administrator. "Through this, we forged friendships and strengthened our partnership with the medical experts from the Embassy, Peace Corps, Spanish coalition and Krygyz Republic medical professionals," he said.
"It was amazing to witness how the passion for taking care of people is universal. We hope the lectures on traumatic surgeries will help save lives around the world," said Capt. Martin who is deployed from the 355th Medical Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
After lunch, the group climbed aboard a bus and drove to the operations side of base to see flightline operations on the tarmac shared by the base and the Manas International Airport. During their visit, they toured a Spanish C-130 configured for aeromedical evacuations, as well as a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. The guests also learned about the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's KC-135 air refueling mission and the Spanish and French coalition partners' flying operations.
"This symposium was what I expected and more," said Dr. Sabyrbek Djumabekov, director of the Bishkek Scientific-Research Center of Trauma and Orthopedics. "I'm familiar with forward surgical operations in battle and know of advanced medical treatment and methods, but here I was able to see the way American doctors provide combat medical care. It was very useful information and we will try to use some of the techniques in the future. I will definitely share this information with my colleagues," said Dr. Djumabekov.
"It was a great pleasure to come to the base and it was so enjoyable," added the Kyrgyz doctor. "I wish to invite the medical teams to our center the next time. This symposium has strengthened our bonds and we will be there for them anytime."
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2009 05:52 |
| Story ID: | 33297 |
| Location: | MANAS AIR BASE, KG |
| Web Views: | 362 |
| Downloads: | 265 |
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