Abstract

NAVARRO SUAY, R. et al. Military Health System as a Tool of Medical Diplomacy: restrospective research of Mauritanian patients evacuated to Central Hospital of Defense Gómez Ulla (2005-2015). Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2016, vol.72, n.4, pp.288-293. ISSN 1887-8571.

Introduction: Spanish Medical Corp from 2003 plays a predominant role in the cooperation agreement between Mauritania and Spain, which allows medical support to Mauritanian patients in the Central Hospital of Defense "Gomez Ulla" (Madrid -Spain-). This is an example of how military medicine is used as an element of international diplomacy for the sake of common security. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study between 2005 and 2015 including patients evacuated from Mauritania to Spain under the agreement signed between both countries in 2003. The selected variables were sociodemographic control and independent (non-combat casualty and combat casualty) and dependent (illness, accident, surgery and anesthesia performed). Results: During the interval between 2005 and 2015, 174 patients were screened, and 89 met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-nine patients (77.5%) were male and 51 (57.3%) were military. Evacuation cause was sick 85 patients (95.5%) and by accident in 4 patients (4.5%). Patients treated by type of specialty were: traumatology 20, ophthalmology 16, neurosurgery 9, otolaryngology 8, oncology 5, cardiology 5, urology 4, plastic surgery 4, pediatrics 3, general surgery 3, neurology 2, pulmonology 2, digestive 2, gynecology 2 and vascular surgery 1. One patient (1.1%) died in hospital. Conclusion: Spanish Medical Corps should play a key role as an instrument of Medical Diplomacy.

Keywords : Medical diplomacy; military medicine; Mauritania; Central Hospital of Defense "Gómez Ulla".

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