Mr James Christopher Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), inaugurated the Infectious Disease Centre at the India Field Hospital Level-II Plus in Goma on September 22, 2026.
The newly inaugurated centre further strengthens the medical preparedness and infectious disease response capabilities of the Indian Field Hospital supporting personnel deployed under the UN mission.
During the inauguration, Swan appreciated the dedicated medical services being provided by the India Field Hospital and recognised its vital role as medical backing for MONUSCO forces in support of the mission’s mandate.
Colonel Jayanta Borah, Contingent Commander, India Field Hospital Level-II Plus, briefed the SRSG on the capabilities and preparedness of the newly established Infectious Disease Centre.
The facility is intended to strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide medical support in the context of infectious disease risks faced by personnel serving in the mission area. Its establishment adds another layer to the medical infrastructure available to UN personnel operating in and around Goma.
The India Field Hospital Level-II Plus forms part of India’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and provides medical support to personnel deployed under the MONUSCO framework. Field hospitals play an important role in ensuring that peacekeepers have access to timely medical care while operating in challenging and often remote environments.
The inauguration also highlighted the wider importance of medical preparedness in UN peacekeeping missions. Personnel deployed in mission areas can face a range of health challenges, making preventive measures, early diagnosis, treatment capabilities and appropriate medical infrastructure important components of operational readiness.
The Infectious Disease Centre is expected to enhance the field hospital’s preparedness to address such requirements and strengthen the medical support available to UN personnel.
Swan’s visit also provided an opportunity to review the capabilities of the Indian contingent’s medical establishment and its preparedness to support MONUSCO forces. The interaction between the SRSG and the Indian Field Hospital leadership highlighted the connection between effective medical support and the broader operational requirements of the UN mission.
India has a longstanding role in UN peacekeeping, with Indian military contingents contributing personnel and specialised capabilities to missions in different parts of the world. Medical support forms an important part of these contributions, particularly in environments where deployed personnel require dedicated healthcare facilities.
The new centre therefore adds to India’s medical contribution to MONUSCO while reinforcing the field hospital’s role in supporting the health and wellbeing of peacekeepers.
The inauguration of the Infectious Disease Centre also reflects the importance of adapting medical capabilities to the specific requirements of the mission environment. Strengthening preparedness for infectious diseases can help improve the resilience of deployed personnel and support continuity of operations.
The India Field Hospital’s capabilities, as briefed by Col Jayanta Borah, are intended to provide medical backing to MONUSCO forces while supporting the wider mission mandate. The facility’s enhanced preparedness contributes to the overall medical support framework available to UN personnel in Goma.
The inauguration concluded with an emphasis on the importance of healthcare in maintaining the wellbeing and operational effectiveness of peacekeepers. The new centre reinforces India’s commitment to providing professional medical support to UN personnel and contributing to the successful implementation of the MONUSCO mandate.
The development represents another step in strengthening the medical infrastructure available to UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while highlighting the role of Indian military medical personnel in supporting international peacekeeping efforts.
