An entourage of the American Heart Association (AHA) is paying a visit to the Postgraduate Training Center to discuss theFF recent products and curricula the AHA is making, for the first time, in Arabic. The NGHA is interviewing the entourage to know future plans and activities of the AHA.
Kevin Turner, AHA International Director, unveils that the AHA is in the process of issuing new products in Arabic made by local specialized translators. The AHA is working on customizing the products to stay in line with the conservative customs and traditions of the Arab people.
He gives an example of clothes not to be removed as is done in what he terms as “disrespect to patients in the American medicine”. He joked the in some cases physicians might suffer injury while treating patients due to not removing clothing; however “there are other additional culturalization changes under process” to accommodate both the doctors welfare and the patients’ cultural needs.
On the prospective plans of the AHA, Turner says the AHA is planning to create a worldwide database based in Belgium to give individual certification in AHA courses to be accredited worldwide.
Speaking about the prospective continuing education opportunities, Turner unveils that the AHA is going to develop online courses for the hectic busy healthcare professionals within the coming few months. He stressed a need to ”have checkers to oversee performance and skills”.
Concerning the AHA guidelines, the AHA is setting up guidelines once every five years in its capacity as a member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The ILCOR comprises physicians and scientists from all over the world who convene to discuss the recent changes to release new guidelines. “The next expected release will be by November 2010.”
Explaining how the AHA receives income as it is a non-profit organization, Turner says the AHA obtains funds from corporate, state or individual donations, such as that of book sales; “The ECC Group, which has the privilege of selling curricula and products to the training centers, keeps the science funded, and helps us bring scientists together to create enhanced knowledge. “
Proud of the number of people the AHA trains all over the world, Turner says it is 12 million annually, and is looking forward to increase the number to 13 million a year.
Relating to the National Vaccine and Anti-venoms Centre, Turner admired the center’s live scorpions and snakes as they provide King Abdulaziz Medical City with vaccines needed on the spot to help others survive, reflecting what he terms as “a real job commitment for top healthcare”. Johan Hultman, AHA Director of Operations, also praised the localization of the anti-venoms and not buying them from abroad. He likes the idea and the execution as they help save more lives.
Tuner is looking forward to have more collaboration with the PTC as he sees favorable opportunities to work together in developing curricula and holding workshops. Turner also respects the energetic PTC staff members “who know everything they should do and understand their sacrifice to serve the goal of the AHA in saving more lives.”
Another member of the AHA entourage is Phil Fasone, Director of WorldPoint International Sale, one of the exclusive distributors of AHA products worldwide. He explains that the AHA receives some funds that come from the purchase of books and courses it develops; saying that “this encourages the AHA to develop and update guidelines and to invest at the same time”.
Phil says that the entourage is here to find out the best way to deliver the products more rapidly; “The AHA is making shipment centers in the USA, Saudi Arabia and Dubai to get shipments out sooner.”
Additionally, Glenn M. Vanden Houten, AHA Territory Director, Europe & Africa, is paying visits to the National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) every now and then, and is the dynamo of the AHA business in the region. He termed the coming course contents as “impressive”. He likes the potential the PTC has and is preparing for big business with them.