DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. – Three International Health Specialists and three non-governmental organization personnel supporting the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) arrived in Belize to facilitate the Global Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Instructor Course.
As partners in international health, AFSOUTH teamed with Belizean health care providers to increase medical capabilities in the country.
The need for the Global ALSO course came about during New Horizons Belize 2013. During this time, a group of International Health Specialists along with the NGO Project H.O.P.E. conducted a one week maternal health assessment across the regional hospitals, clinics, and health posts. The observations from the assessment enhanced the course discussions the following week when 30 Belizean healthcare providers from around the country went to Dangriga, Belize to attend the two day Global ALSO Provider Course.
Eight members who attended the Provider Course will receive the Global ALSO Instructor Course and from July 23-24, these new instructors will provide the Global ALSO Provider Course to a new group of Belizean healthcare providers, facilitated by the Airmen and NGOs.
“We are excited to provide the Global ALSO Instructor and Provider Courses in collaboration with the Belize Ministry of Health and greatly appreciate the support and interactions from the U.S. Embassy, 12 AF/AFSOUTH, and the American Academy of Family Physicians,” said Col. (Dr.) Lyrad Riley, Faculty at Eglin Air Force Base Family Medicine Residency Program.
The goals for the course are to help prepare the Belizean providers to train others within their country and improve overall obstetrics care throughout Belize.
(Staff Sgt. Amy J. Easton, International Health Specialist assigned to 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) contributed to this story)