MAG partners GlobalMedic held their annual training session in Toronto on June 21st, with representatives from MAG in attendance to see first-hand the foundation’s work to strengthen the delivery of emergency medical services in developing countries.
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A GlobalMedic Rapid Response Team member gives training on the operation of a Trekker Portable Water Purification unit. |
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MAG’s Director for International Projects, Steve Priestley, speaks to a group of GlobalMedic recruits. |
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Over 110 new recruits were trained on multiple exercises and equipment utilised during deployment to disaster zones around the world. Photos (top and bottom) by Amir Azimi, GlobalMedic; Beth Irvine, MAG (middle) |
GlobalMedic – official name: David McAntony Gibson Foundation (DMGF), visit the website www.dmgf.org – trains medical staff in MAG programmes around the world.
The purpose of the foundation is to help people in developing countries by: providing emergency relief services and supplies to victims of man-made or natural disasters; developing a pre-hospital emergency medical care training package and delivering it to hospitals, along with paramedic equipment; developing a Rapid Response Team; and, facilitating the donation and delivery of large-scale medical equipment from developed nations to medical providers in developing countries.
At the session, GlobalMedic Rapid Response Team members trained over 110 new recruits on multiple exercises and equipment utilised during deployment to disaster zones around the world.
The day provided training for the new recruits in GlobalMedic's three core operations: emergency water purification, restoration of emergency medical infrastructure, and search and rescue capabilities.
Recruits experienced hands-on training for the operation of the Nomad, Explorer and Trekker Water Purification units, as well as water purification tablet distribution programmes and water testing.
The recruits also experienced real-time training on the 22x42 foot inflatable field hospitals and 25-foot field clinics which GlobalMedic deploys to restore medical infrastructure around the world. Recruits were then given an overview of GlobalMedic's Search and Rescue operations, including high angle rescue and K-9 Search Teams.
Said MAG’s Director for International Projects, Steve Priestley, who gave presentations to the trainees about MAG’s history, current global operations and partnership with GlobalMedic:
“MAG typically operates in countries and regions where the health care system has been devastated by conflict. The support we receive from GlobalMedic ensures that our teams have expert medical attention available on site should an accident occur or to provide treatment to our staff suffering from diseases such as malaria or typhoid.
“As well as providing direct medical support to MAG, our staff who have been trained by GlobalMedic rotate through local health posts and hospitals to spread the techniques they have been taught, ensuring the benefits of their medical training are spread as widely as possible.
“MAG and GlobalMedic will continue to look at ways in which our organisations' skills can be used, particularly in post-conflict and post-disaster response scenarios.”
Links:
» GlobalMedic website
» What MAG does
» Where MAG works
10 July 08
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