Air Forces Southern medics arrive in Belize to facilitate obstetrics course

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Three international health specialists and three nongovernmental organization personnel supporting the 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern, or AFSOUTH, arrived in Belize recently 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 instructor course came about during New Horizons Belize 2013. During that time, a group of international health specialists along with the nongovernmental organization Project HOPE 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. The new instructors will then provide the Global ALSO Provider Course to a new group of Belizean healthcare providers, facilitated by Airmen and civilian specialists July 23-24.

"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, 12th Air Force/AFSOUTH, and the American Academy of Family Physicians," said Col. (Dr.) Lyrad Riley, a faculty member with the 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.