The Dutch contribution to United Nations Operation in the Congo (UNOC)
The United Nations had to appeal to western states for expensive and highly trained specialist troops. The Netherlands, which had a great deal of experience in tropical medicine, was asked at the end of July 1960 to provide 2 ambulances, a chief medical officer (CMO) in the rank of major or lieutenant colonel, 5 NCOs as hygienists and 1 radiologist.
Agreement of the Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers agreed to this request, with the exception of the radiologist, on 27 July 1960. On arrival, the doctor was not given the expected CMO function, but a post as deputy CMO (DCMO), good reason for the Ministry of Defence not to replace the doctor a year later.
Healthcare
The 5 NCOs were given the task of providing support with regard to the personal hygiene of UNOC personnel and the local population. They were all deployed for a period of 1 year. In June 1963, the United Nations deemed the replacement of the third group of 5 hygienists unnecessary. Healthcare continued to be a problem, however, so on 28 April 1963, a field hospital was dispatched from the Netherlands Red Cross to the Congo. Because of the gradual dismantling of UNOC, the team returned to the Netherlands on 29 October 1963. The UNOC mission itself ended in 1964.