Reaffirming India’s long-standing commitment to United Nations peacekeeping and its reputation as a reliable security partner, the India Level II Plus Hospital (formerly India Level III Hospital), deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), has been awarded the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation. The recognition honors the unit’s exceptional professionalism, operational resilience, and significant contributions to the Mission’s mandate.

Col Rajesh W Adhau, Contingent Commander, received the citation from Brig Salil MP, Commander Central Sector and Acting Deputy Force Commander, during the Medal Day Parade in Goma on 29 December 2025. The message of the Force Commander, MONUSCO, Lt Gen Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, was subsequently delivered, commending the unit’s leadership and the collective dedication of all personnel. He highlighted that medical units operating in high-risk environments must exhibit extraordinary competence, resilience, and the ability to inspire confidence—standards the Indian hospital met with distinction.

The appreciation recognizes the hospital’s performance during the intense armed conflict in and around Goma in January–February 2025. Despite facing crossfire, direct threats, and severe operational challenges, the unit provided uninterrupted medical support, treating numerous conflict-related casualties, saving UN peacekeepers’ lives, and extending care to civilians and local security personnel. Concurrently, the hospital effectively addressed public health emergencies, including Monkeypox, cholera, and tuberculosis, ensuring continuous care under extreme pressure. The unit was particularly noted for its calm leadership, sound medical judgment, and effective coordination with Force Headquarters and other contingents, ensuring operational continuity and enhancing mission credibility.

Beyond its clinical excellence, the India Level II Plus Hospital was praised for promoting cohesion and cooperation across MONUSCO through outreach initiatives, training support, and medical assistance to other contingents, reflecting the humanitarian principles central to UN peacekeeping. The conferment of the SRSG and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation serves as a landmark recognition of the unit’s discipline, leadership, and teamwork, reaffirming India’s role as a dependable contributor to international peace and security through professional, people-centered peacekeeping.