India’s Level III Hospital in Goma Earns UN Praise for Peacekeeping Excellence

On June 14, 2025, Bintou Keita, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, visited the India-led Level III Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and lauded its exceptional contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. Located within the MONUSCO mission, the facility is overseen by Colonel Rajesh W. Adhau, SM, and serves as a crucial medical hub for UN personnel and regional communities alike.

During her visit, Keita received a comprehensive briefing on the hospital’s state-of-the-art surgical, intensive care, and diagnostic services, which have proven pivotal amid ongoing regional conflicts. She emphasized its status as the primary medical center for UN staff in the region, noting its broad occupational health initiatives—comprising mental health support, stress management, and preventive screenings—as fundamental to safeguarding peacekeeper well-being.

Keita was particularly impressed by the hospital’s rapid and effective response to cholera and MPox outbreaks, citing its public health preparedness as “setting a benchmark” among international peacekeeping medical facilities. She recognized the hospital’s readiness to contain contagious disease threats, applauding the medical team’s operational protocols and outbreak containment strategies.

The hospital is staffed by Indian Armed Forces medical personnel and has been operational since 2005. It provides comprehensive tertiary care including trauma, cardiovascular emergencies, gynecology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology services. It regularly collaborates with local institutions such as Heal Africa and Bethesda Eye Hospital and conducts outreach activities like eye camps for schoolchildren.

Beyond its UN mandate, the hospital has extended critical humanitarian services to the Armed Forces (FARDC), Congolese National Police (PNC), and local civilians, demonstrating a deep commitment to community health. This outreach underscores the facility’s dual role in both mission-specific and broader humanitarian efforts.

In her address, Keita commended the professionalism and resilience of the hospital staff, highlighting their dedication and efficiency under high-stress conditions. She stressed that their work is integral to mission effectiveness and contributes to sustaining morale among peacekeepers.

Keita also praised the leadership of Col Rajesh W. Adhau, acknowledging his personal courage—particularly after narrowly escaping an RPG attack earlier this year—and military-medical expertise. His role in organizing a well-coordinated medical unit under the most demanding conditions has been instrumental in establishing the hospital as a model of integrated medical care and crisis response.

The UN reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting peacekeeper welfare and pledged continued collaboration to strengthen medical infrastructure. Keita’s remarks serve as a testament to the value of robust medical preparedness in peacekeeping environments and highlight India’s leadership in enhancing healthcare capabilities within MONUSCO.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)