Page 20 - JSOM Winter 2019

with the soldier and provided religious counsel and tended to the need for medical providers to consider the health conse-
his spiritual needs. The CJSOTF-A SGN pressed the impor- quences of captivity goes beyond repatriation. Literature from
tance of a hasty connection with the Afghan medical system World War II demonstrates the possibility of captured medical
given the documented increased mortality of former POWs providers being the sole source of medical care for fellow pris-
in the early postwar period. However, the resources avail- oners. Dunlop’s account of “Medical Experiences in Japanese
10
able in the Afghan medical system significantly limit overall Captivity” describes some of the 773 surgical interventions he
management. Another limitation is the lack of experience by oversaw while in captivity, often using the “cleanest nail that
ANASOC medical personnel in the evaluation and treatment could be found” for a traction pin, hand-made catgut from
of POWs. The CJSOTF-A SGN sought to address this lim- the peritoneum of pigs and cattle, and intrathecal solutions
itation by mentoring the ANASOC SGN to provide guidance of cocaine for lower extremity amputations. The ingenuity
11
through formal policy. The ANASOC SGN indicated that no and dedication of captured physicians demonstrate why mil-
formal policy to guide medical providers in the repatriation itary medical providers must consider and understand POW
of prisoners currently exists within any portion of the Afghan medicine. Isolated from all support, military medical providers
National Army Medical Command (ANA MEDCOM). The must be prepared to alleviate the suffering of their comrades.
CJSOTF-A SGN has begun development of a policy frame- Providing good medical care will strengthen resolve and help
work for the ANASOC SGN that describes the importance of soldiers keep faith in their fellow prisoners so they may come
proper repatriation, the authorities of the medical examina- home alive and with honor.
tion, the appropriateness of a fitness for duty examination,
and a checklist for a medical officer tasked to examine a repa- Author Contributions
triated POW. JF and MH conceived of the case report concept. MH oversaw
the medical screening. JF conducted the literature review. JF
and MH wrote and approved the final manuscript.
Conclusion
Military medical providers face unique problems. Medically Disclosures
welcoming repatriated soldiers back into the force remains There was no funding. The authors have indicated they have
an important part of military operations despite their rela- no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
tively rare incidences in the recent US conflicts. Additionally,
Disclaimer
The views presented in this article are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the views of Department of
Defense or its components.
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18 | JSOM Volume 19, Edition 4 / Winter 2019