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.
Hubner
M E
ME
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.
Ditzler
Thomas F
TF
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