News>Transit Center, Kyrgyz medical teams work together, share ideas
Photos
Col. Iskender Abykeev, head of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense's military medical department, checks out medical equipment at the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group’s surgery room during a visit to the Transit Center at Manas, Oct. 27, 2009. During the visit, Colonel Abykeev and his team of medics learned about the Air Force mission and gained insight from Airmen on how to properly equip their newly built hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
Captain Ronnie Mack, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group, learns about the Kyrgyz military badges, patches and rank structure during a visit by Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense medical officials to the Transit Center at Manas, Oct. 27, 2009. During the visit, the Kyrgyz medical team toured the center and discussed new ways the Air Force and Kyrgyz medical communities could work together. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
Kyrgyz Maj. Aisakiev Matisakov tries on a pilot’s helmet during a tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker at the Manas flightline Oct. 27, 2009. Major Matisakov was part of a delegation of officials from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense that visited the Transit Center to share medical ideas with Airmen at the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
by Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
10/30/2009 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- A Kyrgyz medical team visited here Oct. 27 to learn the Air Force mission and share ideas with Airmen assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group.
The team consisted of local doctors, dentists and pharmacists and was led by Col. Iskender Abykeeev, head of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense's military medical department.
The visit was a part of the growing partnership between Airmen here and Kyrgyz medical professionals. A partnership that, according to Col. Jerrod Flyer, 376th EMDG commander, will bring tremendous rewards to both sides.
"In addition to the good will generated, there is a lot we can learn from each other," he said. "We are all providers of medical care and our main objective is to help our patients. Their training and experiences are very different than ours, and there is a lot we can learn from each other medically and surgically. We have already started to do this in several areas."
After the briefings, the Kyrgyz team got a tour of the medical clinic, dining facility and a KC-135 Stratotanker. The visitors viewed a military working dog demonstration by the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
The team wrapped up their visit sharing information and conducting a discussion with Airmen at the medical group. The topics focused on different ways both Airmen and Kyrgyz military doctors could work together and learn from each other, and how the Kyrgyz team can properly equip their newly built hospital, which is funded by the U.S. State Department and includes new, state-of-the art medical equipment.
"We love the way things are organized here at the Transit Center," said Maj. Nurlan Uraliev, chief of dental services at the Besh-Kungei military hospital. "The U.S. has provided everything the Airmen need to work with, and Airmen need not worry about anything. All they have to do is to get here and get the job done. We are very excited and look forward to our partnership with Airmen at the Transit Center."
The idea of working together to perform an operation was also discussed by both sides.
"We are planning to accomplish medical operations with each other as new cases arise," Colonel Flyer said. "In addition, we will be helping them with ideas and advice in regards to obtaining equipment and supplies for the new surgical hospital at Besh-Kungei. We are confident that this relationship will continue to build as medical colleagues with a special bond and as members of the armed forces of our respective countries."
