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Kyiv/New Delhi, August 24, 2024: In a significant gesture of humanitarian aid, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his historic visit to Ukraine on Friday, presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government. These state-of-the-art mobile hospitals, developed under the Aarogya Maitri Project, represent a unique ‘Made in India’ solution for disaster management, capable of being rapidly deployed and airlifted to crisis zones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for this critical assistance, underscoring the importance of international solidarity in the face of ongoing challenges. “BHISHM is a unique effort that will ensure medical facilities in a rapidly deployable manner. It consists of cubes containing medicines and equipment for medical care,” PM Modi shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing India’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during these trying times.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), each BHISHM Cube is designed to provide first-line care for a wide range of injuries and medical emergencies. The cubes are equipped with surgical tools, enabling the establishment of a basic operation room capable of handling 10-15 surgeries per day. The comprehensive setup within each cube allows it to manage approximately 200 cases involving trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, and more. Additionally, the cubes can generate limited amounts of power and oxygen, ensuring their functionality in the most challenging environments.
The deployment of these BHISHM Cubes comes as part of a broader initiative by the Indian government to enhance disaster response capabilities globally. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Army recently conducted a groundbreaking paradrop of the world’s first portable hospital at an elevation of 15,000 feet, showcasing the versatility and resilience of the Aarogya Maitri Health Cube.
The BHISHM initiative represents a pioneering approach to disaster management. It involves packing all necessary medical supplies and equipment into compact, well-organized cubical boxes, each measuring 15 inches. These mini cubes, weighing no more than 20 kg, can be easily carried by a single individual and are designed for multi-modal transport via air, sea, land, or drone.
A full BHISHM Cube comprises 36 mini cubes arranged on a sturdy, adjustable framework. Two mother cubes—each containing essential medical supplies, surgical tools, and provisions for a crew of five for 48 hours—combine to form the complete BHISHM unit. These mobile hospitals also come with a digital tablet and the BHISHM app, which provide instructional videos and other critical information in up to 180 languages, ensuring their usability across diverse regions.
The presentation of the BHISHM Cubes marks a milestone in India’s humanitarian outreach, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to global disaster response and medical aid. As Ukrainian personnel begin training to operate these advanced medical units, facilitated by a team of experts from India, the cubes are set to play a crucial role in enhancing emergency medical care in Ukraine.
