An Indian Army team from the 60 Parachute Field Hospital in Myanmar is set to make history as it receives accreditation from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Medical Team (EMT). This 118-member team, deployed under Operation Brahma, is assisting Myanmar in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake. Their commitment to providing medical relief has already earned recognition for their remarkable service in global emergencies, including the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
WHO Accreditation: A Historic First for India
The WHO recently visited the 60 Parachute Field Hospital and initiated the process to recognize the unit as an International Emergency Medical Team. This milestone marks a significant achievement for India, as it becomes the first Indian team to receive such accreditation. Lt Col Jagneet Gill, the commanding officer of the hospital, shared that the team not only provided clinical care but also served as a distribution hub for relief materials. They have also been working alongside medical universities in Myanmar to coordinate public health efforts.
Since their deployment, the hospital’s medical staff has treated over 2,500 patients and conducted nearly 7,000 laboratory tests. The team has performed major procedures on over 50 patients. Despite the ongoing supply shortages and the challenges posed by Myanmar’s ongoing aftershocks, the hospital, set up with prefabricated shelters and portable equipment, continues to provide crucial support, including counseling services for those affected by the earthquake’s trauma.
A Pioneering Effort in Humanitarian Assistance
The WHO’s Emergency Medical Team initiative brings together health professionals—including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and logisticians—trained to deliver rapid clinical care in disaster-stricken areas. These teams, made up of personnel from various organizations, are self-sufficient and meet WHO’s standards to avoid overwhelming local healthcare systems. While the WHO currently recognizes about 40 such teams, this is the first time one from India has received this recognition.
Lt Col Gill mentioned that the team innovatively set up parallel operating theatres, enabling multiple surgeries to be conducted simultaneously—an essential capability given the volume of patients. The hospital was also recognized as the primary trauma center by both local hospitals and international teams from Japan and Russia.
The 60 Parachute Field Hospital has been consistently lauded for its dedication to disaster management. In the past, it has provided critical medical assistance in several disaster zones, including during the Uttarakhand floods (2013), Nepal earthquake (2015), and the Indonesian tsunami (2018). Most recently, the unit played a pivotal role in establishing a medical facility in Turkey following the devastating earthquake there in 2023.
