1st Cavalry trains Iraqi doctors to save babies
By Spc. Jan Critchfield
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service July 29, 2004) -- The last of three classes in which 1st Cavalry Division and Iraqi doctors trained local practitioners in neonatal resuscitation was held July 21 at the Baghdad Convention Center.
The course was held to help obstetricians, pediatricians, and family practice doctors in Baghdad to be current on their skills for resuscitating newborns, said Capt. James Wayne, 3rd Brigade Combat Team surgeon.
“The ultimate goal is to decrease the infant mortality rate in Iraq,” Wayne said. “Since the infant mortality rate is so high, there’s a good chance that a lot of the deaths can be averted simply by using proper neonatal resuscitation technique.”
Originally organized by the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the program has found new energy with instruction from 1st Cavalry Division doctors and the enthusiasm of local doctors.
“The doctors we’re working with are sharp, they’re intelligent, they’re enthusiastic, and they all want to learn,” he said. “They want to make sure the medicine they are practicing is as current as possible.”
“It was our goal to train as many physicians as possible,“ said Maj. Richard Bickel, 1st Brigade Combat Team surgeon, who helped organize the event. “They’ve been working for a long time without many of the things that we’ve gotten to work with.”
Bickel said up-to-date equipment has often been limited.
“With the exception of a few little pieces of equipment, they have everything they need to [resuscitate a baby],” he said.
Army and Iraqi doctors lectured during the course on up-to-date techniques and equipment.
“For 35 years, we have been isolated from the outside world and nobody goes outside [Iraq] to train. One of the most important things is to train people,” said Dr. Hassan, Director of the Ministry of Health for Baghdad’s Al-Risafa District. “One of the main causes [of the high regional infant mortality rate] is lack of training. The other is lack of equipment. Another is the low standard of living in Iraq.”
(Editors note: Spc. Jan Critchfield is from the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
