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By U.S. Air Force Capt. Bob Everdeen
Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat
QALAT, Afghanistan – In an area where Taliban attacks and improvised explosive devices are commonplace, a joint U.S. Air Force and Army team continues to build capacity for local civilians to treat injured people here.
During a graduation ceremony Jan. 8, five young Afghan men from Zabul province received certificates of completion for a three-month basic Emergency Medical Technician training course they recently completed here. The course was facilitated by Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat and is similar to a basic first aid class or the military's self-aid and buddy care training.
"We teach the students how to stop blood flow in an emergency situation and to provide care that will keep a patient alive long enough until more advanced medical experts arrive or until transportation—either by vehicle or aircraft—is available," said Mobariz Shaheen, EMT course instructor.
In addition to basic EMT training, students receive two weeks of drivers training.
"This was the first class we've held with the current PRT," Shaheen said, "and the next class will start in two weeks. We've held the class in previous years and some of the students continue their training with a nursing class. Eight of the 12 students from the last nursing class have found jobs at the Zabul Provincial Hospital."
The EMT course is an important first step in helping to build capacity in a province that suffers from a paltry 15 percent literacy rate and a staggering 40 percent unemployment rate. The EMT graduates have taken the first step toward facilitating a reverse in these statistics and are an example of hope for the future of Afghanistan.
At the conclusion of the ceremony—which included the presentation of an individual basic EMT kit for each graduate—PRT Qalat EMT course facilitator Master Sgt. Keith Renken said, "We hope the training you've received during this course will help you to help your Afghan brothers and sisters."
EMT graduate Basir Ahmad responded by saying, "We are all thankful to the PRT for all you have done for us." And with that, the graduates said in unison, "Tashakor." Thank you.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.09.2008 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 15311 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 419 |
| Downloads: | 403 |
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