Combined medical staff provides quality care

AFGHANISTAN

10.25.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE- 82
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER

FARAH CITY, Afghanistan - Afghan and American medical staffs recently combined resources to provide quality medical care to the local people.

When Army Dr. (Maj.) Elizabeth Lawrance, Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team surgeon, was faced with several hernia operations, she called on a local urology expert, Dr. Rabani, and Rahim, a Nurse Anesthetist from Farah Hospital to assist.

"The reason that I wanted this physician here is because he is trained in urology," said Lawrance. "There are seven or eight different ways to repair a hernia. When we work together we can compare thoughts and ideas, especially about hernias and hydroceles, and what goes on in this patient population, which is a little bit different than what goes on in the United States."

Over a two-day period Rabani, Lawrance and Nurse Anesthetists Army Capt.
Eric Binder and Rahim worked side-by-side, performing a hernia operation and a hydrocele on two village elders.

"We had very good rapport," said Binder, speaking about Rahim. "I'm interested in the field medicine and what we can do if we're out in the field and have to do things. He lives that. He does that every day. I'm going to show him some of the techniques we use for general anesthesia.
I'm excited about him coming back tomorrow."

Rahim has recently returned to Farah City, where he works as head nurse in Farah Hospital.

"I have learned many things from Binder. We discussed the age of the drugs, the contra-indication of the drugs and how to use the drugs. That was helpful for me and all the people working in the Department of Anesthesiology," said Rahim.

While the primary function of the forward surgical team at the Farah PRT is trauma support for ISAF and Coalition forces, the staff also provides trauma support to Afghan National Security Forces, and in its spare time medical personnel offer elective surgery to the local populace. There is an orthopedic surgeon, a general surgeon, a nurse anesthetists, licensed practical nurses and surgical scrub techs.

The team plans to continue the joint operations with medical staff from Farah City, exchanging thoughts and ideas as it works to provide quality medical care to the local citizens.

• Date Taken: 10.25.2007
• Date Posted: 10.25.2007 12:38
• Story ID: 13325
• Location: AF