South Dakota Guardsmen return from medical exchange in Suriname

By Stuart G.R. Warner
U.S. Army South Office of Assessments

Sgt. Emily Woockman of the South Dakota National Guard shows the correct procedure to use an intravenous therapy on volunteer Sgt. Maj. Martel Prajasemita of Suriname during a week-long medical readiness exchange in Paramaribo, Suriname Aug. 2-6, 2010. The visit allows medical professionals from Suriname and the U.S. military to exchange ideas and techniques about life saving, emergency medical procedures. (Photo by Stuart G.R. Warner, U.S. Army South)
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PARAMARIBO, Suriname (8/13/10) -- Six U.S. Army medical personnel, including three South Dakota Army National Guardsmen returned Aug. 8 from a week-long medical readiness exchange with 45 medical personnel from the Suriname Armed Forces and civilians, who work in the medical field.

The purpose of the visit was to exchange ideas and techniques about life saving, emergency medical procedures.

Surinamese attendees included participants from the Suriname Army, Navy and Air Force, and civilians who work at the military hospital, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, medical mission and Regional Health Service Foundation clinics.

The U.S. Army team included three members from U.S. Army South: a medical planning officer, Maj. Juan Borge; a physician’s assistant, Capt. Frank Ramos; and the non-commissioned officer in charge, Sgt. 1st Class Efren M. Dicochea; and three non-commissioned officers from the South Dakota Army National Guard’s medical command: Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Conger; Staff Sgt. Michael Reopelle and Sgt. Emily Woockman.

The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname are paired in the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

Sgt. Maj. Johnny Gambiar, Membrebokeo Kazerne Army Base, spoke highly about the exchange. “Some of the personnel at the regional clinics have never learned about trauma care before so it’s very useful because it will help provide better care to their patients,” he said.

He said the exchange helps improve the competency levels because for some of the participants, the medical procedures are something new.

“It is helpful to us to receive updated procedures because it allows us to better provide for our patients,” he said.

Conger attended a Beyond the Horizons engineering exercise in Suriname in 2008 in which his unit repaired and upgraded two schools and two clinics. He said he was excited about the opportunity to return to work with members of the Suriname Armed Forces and Surinamese civilians.

Describing the work of the past week, Conger said the exchange is effective because it increases medical knowledge for point-of-care injuries. He added it also helps to establish a mutual knowledge base between the military and civilian responders.

Capt. Amoepkoemer Akloe, the officer responsible for primary health care for the Suriname Armed Forces said the exchange between Suriname and the United States is very well organized and that the subject matter is very helpful to both military and civilian participants because they work together.

“We have a dream of building a national disaster coordination center in the future that will be capable of providing improved health services and disaster relief to every person in Suriname,” said Akloe.

Mr. Roy Jubitana, an emergency room nurse from the Paramaribo Military Hospital said the relationship between Suriname and the United States has strengthened, and it could become much stronger.

Reopelle said the Surinamese people impressed him during his first-time visit to the country. “My impression of Surinamese people is that they are very happy, very accepting and I’m very impressed with the racial and religious equality that exists in Suriname,” he said adding that he hopes to return one day.

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