Middle Georgia paramedic learns valuable lessons from trip to Africa
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
Sep 6, 2012 at 5:53 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Sep 6, 2012 at 7:59 PM EDT
Middle Georgia Ambulance Paramedic Phillip Wiggins says he has a new outlook on his job after a four month medical mission to Africa.
Wiggins visited South Sudan and Uganda treating patients with local EMS crews. Wiggins says he taught crews about his medical training while also learning what they have to deal with on a day to day basis.
Wiggins says he treated people for diseases such as typhoid, malaria, and Ebola, using vintage ambulances and medical equipment.
"The knowledge that I brought back, the diseases that they have there, and what we don't have here, it was just a real good learning aspect," Wiggins said.
Wiggins says before he arrived, many of the locals relied on homeopathic medicine, including treating deep cuts with leaves to stop bleeding. During his free time Wiggins says he learned more about the local culture.
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