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The training course for the Iraqi medical doctors was an extraordinary success. The course took place in Amman, Jordan from February 5th to the 17th. 40 participants from different universities throughout Iraq attended. (See map for geographic distribution of course participants.)
Senior lecturers included Drs. Wajdy Hailoo, Richard Reeder, Hikmet Jamil, Holger Eisl and Matthew Caddell from SB University and six lecturers from Iraq. Course topics from the SB faculty included environmental science, toxicology and epidemiology, as well as a general orientation to the program and the role and progress of the three Centers in Iraq.
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Lectures were interactive, allowing course participants to ask questions and exchange information with the lecturer. The course participants showed a high degree of enthusiasm and interest in the topics presented. Additionally, the faculty benefited from the knowledge and experience of the health professionals who shared insight into the current environmental issues they face in Iraq.
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Iraqi doctors and scientists from different provinces throughout Iraq attended the course. |
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Dr. Hailoo and Caddell interacting with the Iraqi participants during a lecture. |
Iraqi scientists and healthcare professionals had formerly been severly restricted from interacting among themselves and with their peers from the international community. The course provided a venue for the Iraqi attendants to exchange ideas and information with international healthcare and environmental specialists. This increased the knowledge and experience of the Iraqi participants in the field of environmental health and science. This newly acquired knowledge will enable them to begin training the next generation of specialists, in order to create the much-needed specialty of occupational and environmental medicine in Iraq.
The course schedule included a reception meeting and a dinner event for all the attendants was held where opinions and perspectives were exchanged between the course participants and lecturers.
HEAD-Iraq office representative, Ann Vitale, attended the course and expressed enthusiasm over the progress made by the EHERCs in Iraq. She listened to the future needs and objectives of the course participants and had a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Hailoo about the future of the program.
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USAID-Iraq office representative Ann Vitale speaks with Dr. Hailoo. |
The participants took a pre and post-course test to help assess the effectiveness of the course. They also filled out an evaluation form, which included lecture evaluations and an overall course evaluation. This data was used at the end of the course to assess the entire outcome. All participants showed strongly positive results.
At the end of the course there was a closing ceremony where all participants received a certificate indicating they had successfully completed the course. The Center directors received a certificate of appreciation. Since their return, the Stony Brook faculty has received a great deal of feedback and appreciation responses through e-mail from many of the Iraqi attendants, pointing to the success of the course.
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