Doing Something That Matters

Everyone who has requested, donated, shipped, or accepted a book for Operation Medical Libraries (OML) has spent time doing something that matters. Here's a Lady Antebellum video with a message you can claim as your own. Thanks for being "here" for OML.

http://www.elyrics.net/read/l/lady-antebellum-lyrics/i-was-here-lyrics.html

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OML Expands Its Effects on Eastern Afghanistan

 

CPT Bettencourt at an Afghan Clinic discussing the anesthesia machine.

Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Linan, US Army

 

Introducing OML's newest POC: Troy Bettencourt at FOB GAMBERI, a Physician Assistant, who is serving as the Medical Advisor to the 1st Brigade of the eastern providence of the Afghan National Army. The clinic is the model for the providence so it would be especially helpful if they had applicable resources. All medical references will be shared with its Afghan partners for them to use in their medical facility.

Medical books should be sent prior to June 1, 2103 at the following address:
Troy Bettencourt
C Co. 27th BSB 4BCT 1CD
FOB GAMBERI
APO AE 09310


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Special Request for Netter's Anatomy and Physiology Book

 

Afghan and US military and civilian personnel come together to talk the future of Afghanistan.

Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Linan, US Army

Esmeralda L. Linan is the medical advisor to the 201ST CORPS Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Surgeon, who is in charge of 4 Brigades in Eastern Afghanistan, which includes the provinces of Kapisa, Laghman, Nangahar, and Kunar. Educational resources with current information are needed to create a medical library. The ANA colonel has requested a copy of Netter's Anatomy and Physiology.  Please send it, as well as any other medical textbooks to before March 15 to:

 

Esmeralda Lina
C CO 27BSB 4BCT 1CD
FOB GAMBERI
APO AE 09310

 



 

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First Shipment Arrives Naghlu, Afghanistan

Sergeant Niblick at the Aid Station with 2 of the books received in the first OML shipment to Naghlu, Afghanistan.

Photo courtesy of Michael Singleton, US Army

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Good Will and Peace in Afghanistan

 

 

OML welcomes its newest POC: Michael R. Singleton, an Army physician assistant with with the Afghan National Army in Kapisa Province in Eastern Afghanistan. He is working closely with a physician and 7 physician assistants in the Afghan Army. There is a dire need for current (gently used, is fine) medical educational resources, specifically pharmacopieas, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine and anatomy/ortho textbooks. CPT Singleton is associated with at least 5 other medical teams of similar size in the same dismal situation.

 

These books will improve the good will between the US and Afghanistan, as well as have a tremendous impact on the Afghan medical education and health care system.

 

The most economical shipping method is USPS Media Mail rate. All boxes require a US Customs form 2976-A. The forms and clear outside pouch are available at no charge at your local USPS branch/office.   Please limit boxes to 25 lbs each. If you would like to receive an electronic delivery confirmation, please indicate your request with a note with your email address in the shipment.

 

To ensure that the books arrive before he leaves his current assignment, please send prior to March 1, 2013.

Michael Singleton

Naghlu High Aid Station
HHC 2/7 CAV, 4BCT, 1CD
Naghlu High
APO AE 09354

In this season of miracles and hope for peace on Earth, thank you for giving the perfect "gift."



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MCMC Students Studying in Library

Recently, Myungsung Christian Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia received nine boxes of medical textbooks from OML. These educational resources are now in the library and accessible to medical students.

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Mozambican Hospital Requests Pediatric Textbooks for Residents

The Department of Pediatrics at Hospital Central de Maputo in Mozambique is in need of Pediatric medicine textbooks to support graduate medical education for its pediatric residency. Books in Portuguese or Spanish are highly preferred, but English books can also be used. Titles should be no more than 5 years old and can be general pediatric topics or regarding any pediatric subspecialty. Examples of books wanted include: Nelson's textbook of Pediatrics, Harriet Lane, Red Book, Avery's Neonatal Diseases, Sanford's Antibiotic guide, Roger's ICU textbook, etc... The US address to send the books to is:

Emily A. Hartford, M.D.
℅ Risa Hoffman, M.D.
UCLA GHEP Office
10833 Le Conte Ave 13-154 CHS,
Los Angeles, CA 90095

The UCLA Program in Global Health together with Partners for Pediatric Progress has established strong relationships with the Department of Pediatrics at the Central Hospital of Maputo and the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) School of Medicine, the primary teaching hospital and medical school in the country. This program began in 2007 and was focused around medical education and training initiatives; it is now growing into a collaboration that will work towards improving pediatric hospital care in Maputo while supporting the training programs that will produce the next generation of Mozambican physicians.

Mozambique achieved independence from Portuguese rule in 1975 then suffered a prolonged civil war that began shortly afterwards and ended in 1992 after a successful UN-negotiated peace agreement. In 2004, its leader for 18 years stepped down and the current president was elected. It is now a peaceful nation with impressive economic growth and many natural resources and industries including oil, natural gas, aluminum, business, and tourism. Despite this progress, it is estimated that 54% of the population still live in poverty and in the rural areas the majority of families practice subsistence agriculture to survive.

Mozambique has a total population of 23.5 million with over 10 million children aged 0-14. Despite gains over the past decade, it has some of the highest neonatal and child mortality rates in the world ranking 11th from the bottom of the list at 77 per 1000 live births (neonatal) and 138 per 1000 (under-five). The major causes of under-five mortality include malaria, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and vaccine-preventable diseases. Malnutrition is also very prevalent contributing to over half of childhood mortality and causing stunting of growth in 44% of children under 5 years. The HIV/AIDS prevalence is also high (11.3% among adults) and new HIV infections are common in children who do not have access to prophylaxis from vertical transmission at birth.

There is a huge shortage of physicians in the country (estimated at one per 37,000 residents), with less than 50 pediatricians, no pediatric subspecialists, and one pediatric surgeon serving the entire country. Our project seeks to equip the future generation of Mozambican pediatricians with the tools they need to continually learn and improve the care they provide for children in Mozambique.

For any questions please contact Emily Hartford, M.D.,the UCLA faculty in-country pediatrician, at ehartford@mednet.ucla.edu or 206-429-5199.

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