Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Walter Van Ochten | Lt. Col. Richard Knowlton, a Nurse Practitioner for 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry...... read more read more
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Sgt 1st Class Walter E. van Ochten
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AD DWAR, Iraq--The office was filled with Iraqi Soldiers and their children. One by one, they were called to an adjoining office by a fellow Iraqi Soldier with a stethoscope hanging around his neck.
The Iraqi Army medics have been training with medical personnel of the 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry attached to the Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Division Airborne. They were putting their newly learned skills to practical use by treating their unit's family members.
According to Nurse Practitioner, Lt. Col. Richard Knowlton, the Iraqi Army medics had invited unit family members to come in for free medical evaluations.
The three Iraqi medics conducting the treatment received Combat Life Support training, said Knowlton. This training is very similar to the Combat Lifesaver program given to U.S. Soldiers and includes classes in first aid, health maintenance, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.
This mission is an opportunity to test the instruction the Iraqi medics have received.
"This is good training for the medics." said Knowlton. "We stand in the back-ground and let the medics do the initial evaluation, come up with a treatment plan, then come back and talk with us about what they planned to do, and most times we will go along with their plan of action."
This happens in an environment that facilitates additional training of the Iraqi medics and an opportunity to evaluate their skills.
"This mission helped train them up on doing sick call," said Knowlton. "We plan to have these medics be the Iraqi face in the community. These guys will be doing medical treatment on the local Iraqis along with health education".
Knowlton sees health neglect as being one of the biggest medical issues in Iraq.
Getting the Iraqi Army involved in civic activities that include health practices and eases getting treatment is a major priority for the 2-9th Cav.
"Health education is the next step planned for the medics" said Knowlton. "They will go into elementary schools and do some first aid training for the students. The plan is to put a positive face on the Iraqi army, by having them do the training."
"It's a win, win, win situation." said Knowlton "It's a win for us because we are training all these medics, which makes it a safe place here on the base if something should happen. It's a win for the Iraqi army medics, who will be better able to help there own in combat situations."
Ultimately, he thinks of this as a win for the Iraqi people who can live healthier lives.
In the past, Knowlton has worked with the Public Health Service Corps, training people in different communities to take over medical care for themselves.
He believes that model works well as this is a time of transition for training the Iraqi Army to take a bigger role.
Knowlton has been very impressed with the enthusiasm of the Iraqi medics and their desire to learn.
"They do want to do things to contribute to their country" said Knowlton.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2006 16:19 |
| Story ID: | 5574 |
| Location: | AD DWAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 15 |
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