U.N. PEACEKEEPING
To fulfill their mandate of protecting civilians, peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) often face danger in remote areas, with limited access to medical services. A light mobile surgical module deployed with the Malawi Battalion has significantly improved the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Operating 24 hours a day, the light mobile surgical module has a static and mobile component run by 31 peacekeepers. The static component works as a referral medical center for Level 1 hospitals and has an operating theater, emergency area, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy and intensive care unit. The mobile component is a van equipped with a surgical theater and state-of-the-art equipment that travels with troops in hard-to-reach areas. It began operations in May 2022.
According to the World Health Organization, telemedicine is “healing from a distance.” In the field, when peacekeepers and partners have medical emergencies, it is an excellent way for surgeons to support a medical officer without being physically present.
“Ninety percent of people die in combat due to profuse bleeding,” said Capt. Tadziwana Kapeni. “This facility is always closer to the troops.”
When evacuation is not possible after a peacekeeper has been injured, medics in the mobile module can provide immediate surgical resuscitative measures before the patient is transferred to a higher level of care.
During intense fighting in Kiwanja in eastern DRC, three Moroccan Soldiers serving with MONUSCO sustained life-threatening injuries. The mobile surgical team provided immediate resuscitation and surgery while under fire. Without their presence, the patients would have died within hours as evacuation was not possible amid ongoing fire in a no-fly zone.
“This technology is a force multiplier and should be integrated in modern day combat medical care even in the civilian context,” said Lt. Col. Phillip Chitekwe, commanding officer from the Malawi Battalion. “I believe peace is possible, and it begins with all of us as peacemakers.”
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