Manas hosts symposium for medical partners

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  A gathering of medical minds met here recently for a coalition medical symposium sponsored by the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group.

Guests attending the symposium included personnel from the Spanish coalition medical staff, U.S. Embassy medical unit, Peace Corps medical staff and the Bishkek Research Center of Trauma and Orthopedics.  They joined 376th EMDG personnel to discuss everything from mobile surgical techniques, field anesthesia, critical care air transport and aeromedical evacuation.

The purpose of the symposium was to share information with those who have oral or written support arrangements with the base for medical support in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies such as air disasters or terrorist attacks.

"We were very pleased to host this group of top surgeons from Kyrgyzstan," said Col. (Dr.) Gerard Caron, 376th EMDG commander. "We all have in common that we care for our patients and want them to have the best possible outcome so we have a common bond that is easy to translate," said Colonel Caron, deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he is the deputy command surgeon for Air Education and Training Command.

Slide presentations depicted the realities of war such as treating wounded coming off the battlefield with only self-aid and buddy care-type treatment. Cases discussed included personnel who came in wearing tourniquets, Soldiers with missing limbs, and even wounded troops literally holding themselves together as they arrived for treatment. Further discussions included the current capabilities available and "lessons learned" as technology increases and the wars continue on.

After the lectures, the guests received a hands-on opportunity to handle the medical equipment that combat medical teams commonly use in forward operating locations. The symposium attendees got to try on the heavy body armor designed to protect individuals and the medical equipment they carry and use in battle.

"The symposium was very interesting, we learned a lot of information about medical facilities, the level of medical care available and about how military airplanes can be configured to handle aeromedical evacuation," said Gulniza Aitmambetova, who is a general surgery resident at the National Surgical Center at the Ministry of Health in the Kyrgyz capitol of Bishkek. "I think it's good to have such symposiums here in Kyrgyzstan."

"The information will be very useful," added Ms. Aitmambetova. "I was extremely interested in the equipment they use, such as the resuscitation equipment. I think this symposium would stimulate our doctors to do more work to advance our medical knowledge here."

After the conference lectures ended and questions were answered, the table-top symposium switched gears to move to the standing tradition of toast-making and bread-breaking as they adjourned for a meal prepared and served by members of the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.

"The benefits of this symposium are priceless," said Capt. Stephen Martin, 376th EMDG medical administrator. "Through this, we forged friendships and strengthened our partnership with the medical experts from the embassy, Peace Corps, Spanish coalition and Krygyz Republic medical professionals," he said.

"It was amazing to witness how the passion for taking care of people is universal. We hope the lectures on traumatic surgeries will help save lives around the world," said Captain Martin who is deployed from the 355th Medical Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

After lunch, the group was transported to the operations side of base to see flightline operations on the tarmac shared by the base and the Manas International Airport. During their visit, they toured a Spanish C-130 configured for aeromedical evacuations, as well as a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. The guests also learned about the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling mission and the Spanish and French coalition partners' flying operations.

"This symposium was what I expected and more," said Dr. Sabyrbek Djumabekov, director of the Bishkek Scientific Research Center of Trauma and Orthopedics. "I'm familiar with forward surgical operations in battle and know of advanced medical treatment and methods, but here I was able to see the way American doctors provide combat medical care. It was very useful information and we will try to use some of the techniques in the future. I will definitely share this information with my colleagues," Dr. Djumabekov said.

"It was a great pleasure to come to the base and it was so enjoyable," added the Kyrgyz doctor. "I wish to invite the medical teams to our center the next time. This symposium has strengthened our bonds and we will be there for them anytime."

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