High-tech surgery in prefabs

by Cpl. Chief Olivier Bureau
First published in SFOR Informer #50, December 9, 1998
Mostar - At first glance, the advanced surgical centre in the Mostar Ortijes
Camp has almost nothing in common with conventional surgical centres. It is assembled from
modular technical elements (MTEs). They are the same size as simple containers.
However, these MTEs are mobile and can therefore be deployed anywhere in the world.
"We move them on logistic transportation vehicles (LTVs). Each truck carries a
modular technical element and a power supply element that provides water, heating and
electricity," explained Col. Patrick Godart, Chief of the Medical Corps in the
Multinational Division-South-East (MND-SE).
The
medical material is permanently stocked in these MTEs. So, each MTE is
fully autonomous. The result is a very high-level hospital. "We have
got a blood bank, high-performance materials, and competent personnel,"
said Godart. Almost any kind of surgery can be performed in this hospital,
with very few exceptions. "We work under the same conditions
as any other operating theatre. But there is one difference - location.
We have to do the same precise work but with less comfort," said Lt. Col. Hugues
d'Aigremont, surgeon on the technical team of the surgical-medical company. This company
is composed of 60 persons. Twelve work on the technical team which exclusively handles
surgical-medical activity. The other 38 belong to the support team. They comprise the
rescue station (male) nurses, stretcher-bearers and people from the administrative
command.
In a crisis situation, a helicopter crash for example, this structure becomes an
essential element. A complete medical team, with anaesthetist personal, nurses,
resuscitator, is ready to be sent to the spot to perform surgical-medical
procedures.
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