Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Ranum | Service members with 3rd Medical Battalion demonstrate proper trauma casualty movement...... read more read more
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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Marines and sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion completed Cambodia Medical Exercise 13-2 Aug. 17 in Takeo and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The service members partnered with approximately 40 members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Health for medical training and conducted subject-matter expert exchanges with the caregivers during the exercise.
“The interaction between their care providers and ours was excellent,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Joseph F. LaBarbera, the officer in charge of the exercise with 3rd Med. Bn., 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “We were able to learn how they take care of their patients while they were able to learn what we do for ours.”
The exercise provided opportunities for the U.S. service members to learn as well.
“The exchanges that we conducted went well,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ian M. Laughlin, an anesthesiologist with 3rd Med. Bn., 3rd MLG, III MEF. “We were not only able to see how their military hospital functions, but also how a rural clinic maximizes the (limited) resources it has available to it.
“We tailored our lectures to fit their needs, and we were able to learn from both the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the civilian providers,” added Laughlin.
The service members discussed a wide variety of medical subjects with the caregivers of Roh Minh Clinic and helped the clinic staff maintain readiness by conducting training using only the supplies at the clinic to show how readily available materials can be used to meet the health provider’s needs.
“The knowledge that was given to us about trauma treatment, dental care and pregnancy will especially help the staff of the clinic in the future,” said Sera Vong , the chief physician of the clinic. “The experience that was provided to the staff was needed and showed us what will be useful for our clinic.
“I strongly hope that this relationship will continue into the future,” said Vong.
The Marines and sailors also learned about the history of Cambodia, visiting the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheoung Ek Memorial. The museum and memorial stand as a testament to the brutal legacy of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, and the dedication of the Cambodian people to remembering their past in hopes of building a better future.
“These serve as a reminder of how far humanity can go in the wrong direction,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Joseph Grant III, a general dentist assigned to 3rd Med. Bn. “The Cambodians have designed it in such a way that (the museum) heals them. It is their way of coping with the pain and trauma.”
Learning and experiencing a small portion of the rich history of Cambodia strengthened the bond between the U.S. service members and their counterparts and reinforced the partnership, according to LaBarbera.
“Everyone did well, and I think that we have met all of our goals,” said LaBarbera. “The relationships that we built will carry on into the future and allow our countries’ forces to better share their knowledge and capabilities.”
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2013 22:32 |
| Story ID: | 112443 |
| Location: | TAKEO PROVINCE, KH |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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