title: Kitona 2013: A Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Leading to Lion Rouge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health initiatives support regional stability and are a priority for US and African partners. We present data and experience from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a strategically and epidemiologically ideal location for collaborative medical engagement (CME). Our objectives included relationship building, exposure of US military medical personnel to uncommon tropical diseases, bolstering a referral hospital, and updating Congolese physicians on new treatment or preventive standards of care.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a CME-styled medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) at the Military Referral Hospital of Kitona in June 2013. US and Congolese healthcare providers presented 20 lectures and evaluated 158 patients collaboratively; 132 for infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CME led to Lion Rouge, the first joint military, multidisciplinary engagement between the respective militaries. Equally noteworthy is that some of the same participants returned to the same location for the follow-on exercise, providing continuity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These outcomes suggest the MEDRETE and CME approaches were successful.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.forename: Edmond Amisi
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Okito
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lesho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057191:Capacity Building; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000592:standards; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007391:International Cooperation; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States