QALAT, Afghanistan

Ahmadullah (left), a graduate of the basic nursing program here accepts his certificate of completion Feb. 5 from Director of Ibn Sina Medical Dr. Fazul Rahman. The 12-month training program—facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team—teaches students the basics of nursing: taking vital signs, assessing overall health, initial patient screening, medical terminology and an overview of medications. The course is taught by a local Afghan employed by the PRT. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

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QALAT, Afghanistan

A graduate of the basic nursing program here hurries to the front of the room to accept his certificate of completion Feb. 5 as three dignitaries from Zabul Province look on. The graduation ceremony was attended by (left to right) Director of Public Health Dr. Nazir Ahmadzai, Director of Education Mr. Abdul Nabi Wadan and Director of Ibn Sina Medical Dr. Fazul Rahman. The 12-month training program—facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team—teaches students the basics of nursing: taking vital signs, assessing overall health, initial patient screening, medical terminology and an overview of medications. The course is taught by a local Afghan employed by the PRT. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

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Afghans complete advanced medical training

Published Feb. 13, 2008
By Capt. Bob Everdeen, USAF
Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat

QALAT, Afghanistan -- Less than a month after a basic Emergency Medical Technician training class graduated here, seven more Afghan men entered the medical career field after graduating from a nursing school program facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team here.

The 12-month training program teaches students the basics of nursing: taking vital signs, assessing overall health, initial patient screening, medical terminology and an overview of medications. The course is taught by a local Afghan employed by the PRT.
The importance of the accomplishment the seven young men have achieved was best described by three Afghan government representatives from Zabul Province who attended the graduation ceremony: Dr. Nazir Ahmadzai, Director of Public Health; Mr. Abdul Nabi Wadan, Director of Education; and Dr. Fazul Rahman, Director of Ibn Sina Medical.

"I have seen people who have completed this training in the past," said Dr. Rahman. "You are now the future to make things better for Zabul Province and Afghanistan."

"We look forward to more classes like this in the future," the director of education said during his address to the graduates. "You've studied hard, earned your certification and now employers will be eager to accept you into their practices."

"To the students, congratulations. To the PRT, thank you," Dr. Ahmadzai said. "This is a very special subject because you are helping humans. One person can make a difference, especially in Zabul where we don't have enough educated people, particularly in the medical field."

The graduates must successfully complete a certification test in Kabul before being hired into practice in Afghanistan. Traditionally, graduates of the nursing school program who pass the test enjoy a 100 percent employment rate.

Capt. Everdeen is deployed from Wright-Patterson AFB. He is scheduled to return home in March after a 15-month deployment.