On 30 October 2025, the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM) hosted the inaugural meeting of the Damage Control Surgery (DCS) Working Group, bringing together 79 participants, including nominees from 18 Member States. This marks the start of a pioneering initiative to optimize and standardize the DCS module as part of OSCM’s broader effort to define lifesaving medical modules for rapid deployment in support of field operations.
The DCS module is a critical component of emergency healthcare response, designed to ensure surgical capability in volatile and resource-constrained environments. Its completeness and operational integrity will directly impact the safety and survivability of personnel. For the first time, such a capability is being systematically defined and standardized for UN deployment.
A key feature of the module is its flexibility. Structured into three components ̶ operating theatre, preoperative unit, and postoperative unit ̶ it allows tailored configurations to meet diverse operational and clinical requirements. This adaptability ensures relevance across multiple deployment scenarios.
The working group will collaborate through a dedicated SharePoint platform, enabling participants to share recommendations and feedback. All meetings will be conducted online, with the closing session scheduled for early January 2026.
This initiative represents a transformative step toward strengthening healthcare readiness and standardization within OSCM. By defining and optimizing the DCS module, OSCM aims to enhance operational effectiveness and improve medical outcomes for personnel in the field.
Call for Nominations: UN Working Group on Damage Control Surgery Module
OSCM invites UN Member States to nominate qualified medical experts to join a newly established Working Group on Damage Control Surgery (DCS).
The working group will bring together technical experts with proven experience in deploying or managing surgical capabilities in emergency contexts. Through collaboration with leading global partners—including the World Health Organization, the Global Surgery Foundation, and others—this group will help shape a more responsive, standardized, and effective surgical module tailored to real-world field conditions.
Meetings will be held virtually every two weeks, with the project expected to conclude within eight months. Member States with relevant operational experience are especially encouraged to contribute their expertise to this important effort.
This is a unique opportunity for nominated experts to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and co-develop innovative solutions that enhance the UN’s medical logistics readiness and resilience.
📧 Submit nominations and inquiries to: medicalsupportsection-unhq@un.org
We look forward to the active participation of Member States in this vital initiative to improve emergency medical support across UN operations.