Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented four BHISM medical cubes to President Volodymr Zelenesky during his state visit to Ukraine. The gesture underscores India’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Indian experts have been deployed to train Ukrainians to operate the Cube.
The Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri, BHISM for short, is an all-terrain portable, disaster hospital. It consists of 72 cubes and can be transported by cargo planes. The cube concept was conceived by experts in NSA Ajit Doval’s National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The project is implemented by HLL Lifecare, part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These cubes have medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all medical emergencies. They are designed for instant responses to mass-casualty events, in remote areas.
What do the cubes consist of?
Each BHISM cube has two master cubes. Each master cube can be carried by a medium-lift helicopter like a Mi-17. The cubes are designed to operate in different terrains and topography.
Cube 1 has a triage kit, an OPD for treating Tactical Combat Casualties, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and evacuation kits like portable stretchers. It also has a crew survivor kit, and survivor aid kits to cater to 200 casualties.
Cube 2 has advanced surgical kits, an anesthesia kit, a laboratory kit, an operating table, and structural elements. All these elements are packed into 72 mini cubes.
What are mini cubes?
The minicubes are waterproof and can be carried by a single person or a drone. Each cube has RFID tags which allows for inventory management and tracking. Each cube has items for various emergencies, for medical and, non-medical functions. Non-medical items are personal kits, survivor aid kits, cooking kits, and power kits.
Can this portable hospital perform surgeries?
Yes. The cube includes surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room that can manage 10-15 basic surgeries per day.
How many victims can the BHISM cater to?
It can handle about 200 emergency cases such as trauma, bleeding, burns, and fractures. It can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts. The BHISM is the perfect ‘Made in India’ solution to a world where climate change, natural disasters, and warfare threaten human survival.