Experiences as a Medical Advisor and Director for NATO Operations in Afghanistan

This paper reviews the provision of medical support to NATO operations in Afghanistan. It has been compiled from the experiences of both the Medical Adviser for the NATO operational headquarters at Joint Force Command Brunssum and the Medical Director for HQ International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Whilst there are many challenges, the end product is a multi-national medical support system that delivers high quality medical care to military personnel from 37 nations operating across the whole of Afghanistan. In addition, international military medical personnel have made a substantial contribution to the development of the Afghan Security Forces medical services and the Afghan civilian health sector.