Col. (Dr.) Frank Allara, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group commander explains the individual first aid kit to members of the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health, during a tour of the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 19, 2012. Public health personnel from the 376 EMDG and the members of the Ministry of Health frequently meet to exchange information about one another's practices. IFAKs are designed to help Airmen treat themselves for battlefield injuries while deployed. Allara is deployed from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. and a native of Forest Hills, Ky. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Benedetti)
Col. (Dr.) Frank Allara, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group commander, thanks Marat Kaliev, Deputy Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, during a tour of the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 19, 2012. Public health personnel from the 376 EMDG and their counterparts from the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health frequently meet to exchange information about one another's practices. Allara is deployed from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. and a native of Forest Hills, Ky. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Benedetti)
by Staff Sgt. Matt Benedetti
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/21/2012 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, KYRGYZSTAN -- Personnel from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan hosted representatives from the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health Sept. 19, 2012, here. The visit included briefings by Col. Robert Mallets, 376 Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander and Col. (Dr.) Frank Allara, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group commander, as well as a tour of the Transit Center and medical clinic.
The visit was the latest in a continuing informational and cultural exchange program that familiarizes medical personnel from the Transit Center and their Kyrgyz Republic colleagues with one another's methods, practices and techniques. Health care professionals from the Transit Center frequently visit Kyrgyz Republic medical facilities throughout the Bishkek area.
"We enjoy working in conjunction with our Kyrgyz Republic partners to improve the health and welfare of the local community,' said Allara, a native of Forest Hills, Ky., who is deployed from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. "We have stayed busy with the military and cultural exchanges and have established partnerships with village schools as well."
Members of the Ministry of Health enjoyed the visit and recognized the growing relationship with Transit Center personnel.
"Today's event has a positive effect on our strong relationship. The exchange was very open and productive," said Marat Kaliev, Deputy Minister of Health for the Kyrgyz Republic.
"You have a very good team of public health and it is great to learn more about what you do at the Transit Center. We hope that today's visit will further the relationship between the Ministry of Health and the men and women of the Transit Center," said Kaliev.
Allara is looking forward to exchanges in the near future and excited about the strong partnership that has developed between the medical group and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health.
"It was evident from today's meeting that the Deputy Minister and I are on our way to developing a productive and successful relationship. As the director of medical services, one of my key goals is to strengthen our association in order to further enhance the bonds between our two great countries. Not only do I look forward to nurturing professional relationships with our Kyrgyz partners, but personal relationships as well," Allara said.
"It was indeed an honor and pleasure to have the Deputy Minister as our guest today. I look forward to our next meeting," he said.
