UMM QASR — Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq’s Health Affairs directorate hosted some very specialized training for the staff of the Iraqi Navy’s Medical Clinic here, Feb. 3.

In cooperation with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Health Affairs sponsored a course in Undersea and Diving Medicine for the sole Iraqi physician and 10 of his medical staff at this strategic and developing naval base. 

With a growing diver force, the unique requirements for providing health care to an undersea force demand a very specialized skill.

Maj. Gen. Samir, Ministry of Defense Joint Forces surgeon general, and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeff Plummer, deputy director, MNSTC-Health Affairs, traveled to Umm Qasr for the 3-day site visit, linking up with the NAVCENT instructor enroute.  U.S. Navy Capt. Dale Molé, NAVCENT and 5th Fleet Surgeon, is an Undersea Medicine instructor and certified U.S. Navy diver.

Molé agreed to travel to Umm Qasr to conduct the diving medicine course at the request of the Iraqi Surgeon General.  Further, this allowed NAVCENT to pre-screen the Iraqi Navy physician, Capt. (Dr.) Muayed Mansour, in advance of his nomination to attend the Undersea Medicine 9-week dive course in Panama City, Florida, later this year.

Samir’s presence for the course was vital, as he provided medically-relevant English to Arabic translation.  With only one physician in the class, Samir often had to expand the training with explanations of medical concepts and anatomy for the medics and divers in the room. 

Samir reflected, “Although often a difficult translation, today’s experience allowed me to break my mind from our everyday challenges at the MoD and return to my calling.  I enjoy discussing and teaching medical concepts.”