Humanitarian Surgery and Military Health Service: the Experience of a Forward Surgical Team in Jordan

Seance of wednesday 26 june 2013 (SEANCE AU VAL DE GRACE)

Abstract

In august 2012, the French foreign department missionned the French army to provide humanitarian support to the victims of the Syrian war by the mean of a forward surgical hospital.The mission took place in a large humanitarian deployment of united nation’s agencies and (non-governmental organizations) NGO’s set in the refugees camp of Za’tari, north of Jordan.From 2012 oct 26 to 2013 jan 19 one surgical team received 134 woundeds of whom 89 have been operated. Recent woundeds, arriving grossly conditioned, needed in some cases damage control surgery before transfer toward governmental or private Jordan hospitals. Non emergent or benign woundeds were usually able to go out in the refugees camp after a few days hospitalization in our tents. Cooperation has been developed with NGO’s or (united nations high commissioner for refugees) UNHCR, concerning obstetrics, management of the refugee’s flow or a modest participation to the health system of this underequipped and continuously growing camp. Controversies about the attribution of this humanitarian mission to the army’s health service have incited to tackle ethical considerations. In conclusion, this experience shows the ability of the French military health service to accomplish a humanitarian mission.