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Iraqi doctors practice modern medical techniques
Friday, 27 March 2009
KARBALA, Iraq – Iraqi medical staff participated in applied techniques and medical discussions with a team of 10 American doctors who specialize in general surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine and primary care in order to develop their medical capabilities during a medical symposium held at the Al-Hussein General Hospital here March 22-25.
Col. John P. Schriver, 10th Combat Support Hospital Chief Surgeon, has been working with the Iraqi doctors to modernize their medical procedures. Schriver walked with them through patient wards at the hospital, discussing the best candidates for a joint surgery to be performed by Iraqi and American surgeons during the last day of the symposium.
“By examining each patient’s case, I am able to listen to what the staff here has diagnosed a patient with and then we can design a care plan for those patients,” the El Paso, Texas native said.
The Iraqi doctors and Schriver considered several candidates for the joint surgery. A pancreatic surgery, a colon surgery, a surgery to repair a hole in a patient’s intestines and a stomach and esophagus surgery were among those considered. After a discussion the Iraqi doctors and Schriver opted to perform the surgery on the stomach and esophagus.
The symposium also included classes taught by American doctors to help advance the techniques and procedures used by the medical staff.
“The goal is to help improve the medical care here in Karbala, and the staff has been very receptive of the information we're providing them,” said Capt. Michael S. Cahill, 172nd Infantry Brigade Surgeon and a native of Albuquerque, N.M.
According to the medical staff here, Cahill's goals were achieved and the medical symposium was a success.
“I think this symposium was a good way to communicate with medical staff here,” said Dr. Ihsan H. Musa, a physician at the hospital. “The training we received will help improve the health care provided here and, in the future, improve the health care in all of Iraq.”
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