Humanitarian military medical mission in a postconflict environment: lessons from Cambodia.
In the aftermath of a genocidal civil war, the Government of Cambodia is left with major deficiencies in its healthcare system. This article recounts a military medical mission to Cambodia; the authors describe the objectives of the mission and provide a summary of the lessons learned. Specific areas of concern include healthcare infrastructure, logistics, standards of care, social traditions, organizational issues and potential problems in civil-military collaboration. This report is offered as a heuristic device to illuminate some of the issues that can mediate the success of military medical missions in postconflict environments.
USAF Medical Corps, International Health Specialist, Medical Public Health Unit, Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Postconflict Tripler AMC, Honolulu HI 96859-5000, USA.
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ME
Hubner
Thomas F
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Ditzler
D000533:Altruism; D002160:Cambodia; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008889:Military Personnel; D011634:Public Health; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States