REPORT OF THE 8^th ICMM INTERNATIONAL COURSE FOR
HEALTH SUPPORT IN SAHARAN ENVIRONMENT

The 8^th ICMM International Course for health support in Saharan environment was held from 16^th to 20^th October 2017 in Tozeur (Tunisia).

This course was organized by the Tunisian General Directorate of Military Health under the aegis of the Tunisian Minister of defense and the ICMM.

The opening ceremony was presided by the Director of the Course Senior Colonel (MD) R.BELAAJ, and the closing one by the Senior Colonel (MD) M.CHIBANI who represents the Surgeon General of the Tunisian Armed Forces.

The 8^th international course targeted 19 officers, among them two Tunisian and 17 from 11 ICMM country members: GERMANY, BELGIUM, IRAN, ITALY, EGYPT, PALESTINE, OMAN, BAHREIN,COTE D’IVOIRE, HOLLAND and SAUDI ARABIA.

The teaching team was composed by French and Tunisian Speakers, Civilian Doctors and Professors from Tunisian Universities, as well as by Military Physicians, Veterinaries, and Pharmacist.

The teaching program was articulated in five modules, each one included a succession of lectures, practical workshops and exercises in the field.

The topics that were addressed related to:
- Health Support in Saharan environment
- Diseases deriving from exposure to heat
- Water issues
- Survival in Saharan environment
- Leishmaniasis
- Scorpion and ophidian Envenomation

A visit to the 2^nd Saharan Territorial Group enabled to discover the particularities of a camel patrols and to present the specific nutritional and supply aspects.

A visit to the palm grove in RJIM MATTOUG enabled to discover the significant role of the Tunisian Armed Forces in the fight against desertification and socio-economic and the integration of nomadic populations.
With a structured approach, Combining theoretical and practical training, the modules (given in French or in English with simultaneous translation) provided participants with the latest developments in the addressed topics and enabled them to exchanges their experiences and to discuss some national specificities.
Furthermore, a self-assessment system was implemented in order to allow participants to gauge the level of their knowledge before and after each training day.

This course is accredited by the National Instance of Health Accreditation (INASanté) with a total of a 16.5 Continued Professional Development Unit (UDPC).

The committee will work to expand this course with the perspective of a larger participant of ICMM Country members. It also thanks all the participants for their attentions, inputs and motivation and for the exchange that they brought along these five modules.