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Under India’s Neighbourhood First policy and its longstanding role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region, an Indian Army Medical Task Force deployed under Operation Sagar Bandhu has become a lifeline for flood-hit communities in Sri Lanka. The contingent has set up and is operating a fully equipped field hospital in one of the worst-affected districts, providing essential medical care to thousands amid acute distress.
A Gruelling Journey to Deliver Urgent Help
The team’s relief mission began even before the hospital was operational. After landing in Colombo, the contingent undertook an arduous 18-hour journey to the disaster zone, navigating washed-out roads, damaged infrastructure, and severely disrupted communications. When they arrived, the only space available to establish the hospital was an empty parking lot without steady electricity, water supply or functional communication links.
Despite these daunting challenges, the Indian Army personnel immediately set to work. Their rapid response, carried out in full coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, turned a bare plot of land into a lifesaving medical hub within hours.
Rapid Setup Powered by Innovation
Engineers and medical specialists worked through the night to erect a fully functional field hospital, equipped with portable generators that ensured uninterrupted power for surgeries, critical care and emergency interventions. With assistance from district authorities, the team secured a consistent water supply and set up a dedicated communication centre, restoring connectivity with Indian agencies, logistics networks and local administration.
The contingent also harnessed new-age technologies to speed up operations. Drone-based aerial surveys helped optimise the hospital layout on waterlogged terrain, while HVAC-supported medical tents enabled the rapid establishment of a sterile, operational surgical theatre. Purpose-designed systems allowed rapid movement of blood samples and diagnostic materials, drastically reducing turnaround times for treatment.
A Multi-Speciality Facility for a Community in Crisis
Within days, the field hospital expanded into a fully developed multi-speciality medical centre. It now offers: operating theatre facilities; X-ray and laboratory services; dental care; and Multiple OPDs, including surgery, orthopaedics, and family medicine.
These services have already benefited over 5,000 Sri Lankan citizens, providing urgent treatment and emotional reassurance to families struggling in the aftermath of devastating floods.
A Complete Humanitarian Effort
The 85-member task force, comprising doctors, surgeons, nurses, engineers, signallers, and logistics experts, has taken on responsibilities far beyond healthcare. A Signals team successfully restored a damaged fibre-optic line supporting a crucial mobile tower, reviving communication services for nearby communities. The contingent is also distributing potable water using portable purification systems and extending humanitarian support wherever critical gaps emerge.
A Testament to India–Sri Lanka Friendship
The Indian Army’s exemplary efforts under Op Sagar Bandhu highlight India’s enduring commitment to stand by its neighbours in times of crisis. From the 2004 tsunami to the COVID-19 pandemic and now Sri Lanka’s flood disaster, India has repeatedly positioned itself as a dependable first responder in the region.
