Levels of medical support for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

It is important to standardize the classification of medical units in United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping operations to ensure that they meet operational requirements and to facilitate planning and administration. It further ensures interoperability between medical facilities from different countries. The U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations has adopted a four-level medical support organization, with the classification level of a unit largely determined by its treatment capability and capacity. Planning and allocation of medical resources depend largely on the peacekeeping mandate, the type of peacekeeping operation, existing medical infrastructure, geographical factors, and assessed medical threats. A summary of medical units currently deployed in U.N. peacekeeping missions is presented. This should promote understanding of the U.N. medical support concept and assist national military organizations in the planning for such operations.