August 15, 2012, Updated August 10, 2016

Twenty-six doctors, nurses and hospital administrators from 20 countries recently took part in a two-week course at Rambam Health Care Campus dedicated to dealing with trauma.

The course — held in conjunction with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — has a simple goal: to share Rambam’s rich experience and knowhow in treating trauma victims with medical personnel worldwide.

“We face great challenges from terror, accidents and other causes and Israel is known for its preparedness in the case of emergency incidents,” says Alice Bittah, a head nurse in the Kenyatta National Hospital Nairobi, which receives Kenya’s most serious trauma cases. “I am learning things here that will help me to build a system that flows and strengthen our medical teams, and I am enjoying every minute of it.”

Trauma simulation at Rambam Health Care Campus. Photo by Pioter Fliter/RHCC
Trauma simulation at Rambam Health Care Campus. Photo by Pioter Fliter/RHCC

Participants attended lectures, workshops, simulations and tours, at Rambam and throughout Israel, designed to prepare them to build systems for treating victims of disaster – both natural and man-made – in their own countries.

This is the ninth annual course of its kind. Global interest continues to rise, along with the number of attendees. Countries that took part this year include Belarus, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

“Rambam has had to learn from its experience, and care here is at the highest standards,” said Dr. Otilia Neves, who is overseeing the creation of the first trauma and emergency system in her country, Mozambique. “You can be proud of your system. I plan to urge more physicians from my country to come here for training.”

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