27 Oct. 2008
Providing medical care for NATOs KFOR troops of Manoeuvre Battalion Dulje of MNTF S is an international task. That is why Austrian, Swiss and German medical specialists of KFOR met for an exchange of information and experience at Camp Casablanca in Suva Reka last Sunday.
The battalion medical officer at the Medical Center, Captain Dr. Christoph Bierbamer, coordinates and organises the smooth operation of his infirmary, which is ensured by a staff of 4 doctors, 13 state-registered nurses and another 16 medical orderlies. Their aim is to provide round-the-clock qualified medical care for our soldiers.
Dr. Bierbamer considers training an "invaluable first step to get to know each other and to exchange experience in handling the special equipment used in a multinational environment." Since this joint training covers several months, the medical staff members had to learn about each other's national material first.
"On operations perfect interaction between medical staff from all three nations both technically and technologically is - literally - of vital importance", explains Bierbamer. From a technological point of view, the highlight was the mutual familiarisation with the mobile intensive care units of the Fuchs and Pandur wheeled armoured vehicles. "It is possible, for instance, to stabilise the vital functions of a traffic accident casualty, i.e. to render him/her fit to be moved and to take the patient quickly to a medical hospital for specialist care, irrespective of the type of terrain to be crossed and protected from shrapnel and small-arms fire", comments the battalion medical officer with enthusiasm.
In the course of familiarisation and instruction and many conversations held in the process it soon transpired that the medical specialists of all three nations, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany have the same high level that prevails in Western Europe. Initial personal contacts were also established. "There are plans for joint off-duty activities", Dr. Bierbamer was pleased to add.
