Document Type
Article
Publication Date
March 2013
Journal
RCPSC Dialogue
Volume
13
Issue
3
Abstract
The Royal College has been quietly assisting in thereconstruction of Afghanistan’s residency education system,devastated by years of war, by supplying members of theNATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) with educationalmaterials and advice to appropriately modernize the country’straining programs.“These efforts are essential for the training of Afghanphysicians in medical and surgical specialties, to ensure ahealthy future for the people of Afghanistan,” says Major Vivian McAlister, MD, FRCSC, member ofRoyal College Council and NTM-A participant.The capacity-building initiative is supported on the ground by the NTM-A team, which includesnumerous Fellows of the Royal College, who advise their Afghan counterparts on ways they can leadadvances in the country’s health care system.As part of these efforts, Dr. Emal Wardak, an orthopedic surgeon from the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospitalin Kabul, was presented with a special Royal College speaker certificate during the Orthopaedic Societyof Afghanistan 2012 trauma symposium, for his lecture on the evolution of fracture management.This goodwill gesture was to officially recognize and promote leveraging local knowledge as therebuilding process progresses.“In any international endeavor, it is important to recognize that one-size does not fit all and thatcollaboration is key. I am proud to say that we have been collaborating in every sense with ourcolleagues in Kabul to map out a resident training system that is appropriate to their needs and thatmakes use of their expertise,” adds Dr. McAlister.