Camp Lemonnier’s Health Teleconference Improves Care Options

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead | CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (Aug. 28, 2019) Camp Lemonnier's Expeditionary Medical Facility held its first video conference call--Telehealth--between a patient on base and a provider located at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Landstuhl, Germany Aug. 28, 2019. Camp Lemonnier's Expeditionary Medical Facility is the first to accomplish this in a remote region. Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where and when they are needed to ensure security in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead)  

DJIBOUTI

08.28.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

(Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti) – Technology and health have come together to improve the care given to those forward deployed, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) held its first successful video conference call from a patient on base to a provider a continent away, Aug. 28, 2019.

Telehealth is the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies. Camp Lemonnier’s Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) is the first to accomplish this in a remote location. The conference was held with a provider at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), located in Landstuhl, Germany.

Cmdr. Edward Owens, officer-in-charge, EMF, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, explains the significance of being able to utilize Telehealth for service members in the region.

"Telehealth between LRMC and Camp Lemonnier’s EMF will bring healthcare to the warfighter on the front lines improving collaboration, access and overall quality of healthcare,” said Owens. “Ultimately, we expect there to be direct cost-savings with this capability as a result in decreased Medical Evacuations (MEDEVACs).”

The groundbreaking service, worked through a few challenges including connectivity issues and syncing facilities located in different countries. Owens praised the departments at both medical facilities for their efforts in making capability possible in such a short time.

“This is an endeavor that began several months ago and is coming to fruition as a result of the great collaborative effort between many departments based here at CLDJ, as well as LRMC in Germany and Naval Forces Africa Medical, headquartered in Italy,” said Owens.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2019
• Date Posted: 08.30.2019 03:52
• Story ID: 337962
• Location: DJ