Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi : Reinforcing India’s enduring commitment to United Nations peacekeeping and its standing as a credible security partner, the India Level II Plus Hospital (earlier India Level III Hospital) deployed with United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo )(MONUSCO) has been conferred the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation for exemplary professionalism, operational resilience and outstanding contribution to the Mission mandate. The citation was received by Col Rajesh W Adhau, Contingent Commander, from Brig Salil MP, Commander Central Sector and Acting Deputy Force Commander, during the Medal Day Parade in Goma on 29 December 2025.
Following the presentation, the message of the Force Commander, MONUSCO, Lt Gen Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, was delivered. The Force Commander paid tribute to the unit’s leadership and the collective dedication of all ranks, underscoring that medical units operating in high-risk environments must demonstrate exceptional competence, resilience and the ability to inspire confidence across the Mission-standards that the Indian hospital has met with distinction.
The appreciation recognises the hospital’s performance during the intense armed conflict in and around Goma during January–February 2025, when the unit sustained uninterrupted medical support despite crossfire, direct threats and severe operational constraints. During this period, the hospital treated numerous conflict-related casualties, saved lives of UN peacekeepers and extended medical care to civilians and local security personnel. In parallel, the unit responded effectively to public health emergencies, including Monkeypox, cholera and tuberculosis, ensuring continuity of care under extreme pressure. Particular emphasis was placed on the unit’s calm leadership, sound medical judgement and effective coordination with Force Headquarters and other contingents-ensuring medical support never faltered and directly strengthening operational continuity and mission credibility.
Beyond clinical excellence, the India Level II Plus Hospital was also commended for fostering cohesion and cooperation across MONUSCO through outreach initiatives, training support and medical assistance to contingents across the mission area-reflecting the humanitarian ethos at the heart of UN peacekeeping. The conferment of the SRSG and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation stands as a landmark recognition of the unit’s discipline, leadership and teamwork, and reaffirms India’s role as a dependable contributor to international peace and security through professional, people-centric peacekeeping.DD
