Medical supply system peculiarities for the troops (force) during the Afghanistan territory armed conflict (1979–1989)

Abstract

Medical service activity in organizing medical equipment provisions to a limited contingent of Soviet troops (forces) during the armed conflict in Afghanistan (19791989) was presented. It was established that thanks to the medical supply specialists competent work in the most difficult conditions in the shortest possible time during the creation and build-up of Soviet troops (forces) grouping, a medical supply system adapted to the specific conditions of activity was formed, functioning in three, largely isolated areas. The work medical supply units and institutions to provide troops (forces) with medical equipment during the armed conflict is shown, as well as the problematic issues of their functioning, which were successfully resolved thanks to the involvement of students from the faculty of Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov. It reflects the priority tasks facing the medical supply system during the withdrawal period of a group of Soviet troops (forces) from Afghanistan, including providing local population assistance and its armed forces by transferring not only buildings, structures, medical service units, but also part of the medical property. The features of certain drug provision for the medical evacuation and military hospitals stages were presented, particularly injection and infusion solutions, as well as medical oxygen. The operational experience of the troops (forces) medical supply system during the armed conflict in Afghanistan was analyzed, and a number of contradictions were identified, which were later successfully eliminated. The medical supply specialists role was emphasized, whose professionalism and dedication made it was possible to solve all the tasks facing them in providing troops (forces) with medical equipment. In general, military units and military medical organizations that were part of a limited contingent of Soviet troops were provided with medical equipment within their actual need, which contributed to the timely provision of medical care and treatment of the wounded and sick, as well as maintaining a high level of the troops (forces) combat capability.