Key Takeaways:
- The India Level II Plus Hospital received the SRSG Unit Appreciation for professionalism and resilience in Goma.
- Unit sustained uninterrupted medical support during intense fighting in January–February 2025, treating peacekeepers, civilians and local security personnel.
- The hospital also managed public health emergencies including monkeypox, cholera and tuberculosis while coordinating with MONUSCO command.
- Recognition reaffirms India’s dependable role in UN peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The India Level II Plus Hospital deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has been honoured with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation for its professionalism and operational resilience.
The citation was presented to Colonel Rajesh W. Adhau, Contingent Commander, by Brigadier Salil M.P., Commander Central Sector and Acting Deputy Force Commander, during the Medal Day Parade in Goma on 29 December 2025. In his message, Force Commander Lt Gen Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes praised the unit’s leadership and the collective dedication of its personnel, noting that medical units in high-risk environments must demonstrate exceptional competence and steadiness under pressure.
India Level II Plus Hospital led operations under fire
The appreciation highlights the hospital’s performance during the intense armed conflict in and around Goma in January and February 2025. Despite facing crossfire, direct threats and severe operational constraints, the unit maintained uninterrupted medical support. Personnel treated numerous conflict-related casualties, saved the lives of UN peacekeepers and provided care to civilians and local security forces.
Alongside trauma care, the hospital responded to concurrent public health emergencies, including monkeypox, cholera and tuberculosis. Staff managed to ensure continuity of care and public health measures even as the security situation deteriorated, demonstrating strong clinical judgment and effective coordination with Force Headquarters and other contingents.
Commanders singled out the unit’s calm leadership and ability to work closely with mission partners. Such coordination ensured that medical support never faltered and directly contributed to operational continuity across MONUSCO. The citation stresses that the unit’s conduct strengthened mission credibility at a critical moment.
Beyond immediate clinical work, the India Level II Plus Hospital ran outreach and training initiatives across the mission area. The team provided medical assistance and capacity building to other contingents, reinforcing cohesion within MONUSCO and reflecting the humanitarian ethos of UN peacekeeping.
The award marks a notable recognition of discipline, leadership and teamwork by an Indian medical contingent. It also reaffirms India’s role as a dependable contributor to international peace and security through professional, people-centred peacekeeping.
India has a long history of participation in UN peacekeeping missions, providing military, police and medical units to help stabilise conflict zones and support humanitarian operations. The performance of the Level II Plus Hospital in Goma underscores the value of sustained medical capability within peacekeeping formations, particularly when missions operate in volatile environments.
At the Medal Day Parade, mission leaders and assembled contingents acknowledged the hospital’s efforts in saving lives and preserving mission effectiveness. The recognition sends a clear message about the importance of resilient medical units and the impact they have on the safety of peacekeepers and on the welfare of local communities.
For India, the award is a diplomatic and operational achievement. It highlights the country’s continuing investment in multilateral security efforts and its capacity to field units that perform reliably under the most demanding conditions.
