Bhubaneswar- In a significant move to boost India’s disaster preparedness and emergency healthcare delivery, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has received three state-of-the-art BHISHM Cubes. These mobile medical units, crafted under the Aarogya Maitri Project, are an innovation developed by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) with technical support from the Ministry of Defence.
The BHISHM Cubes, short for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri, represent a transformative approach to delivering trauma care in disaster-struck areas. Each cube is a compact yet comprehensive unit packed with 338 essential medical supplies and tools, including ayurvedic remedies, surgical kits, diagnostic devices, and trauma care essentials. Designed to treat up to 200 victims on-site, these cubes can be transported quickly and assembled in just a few hours.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, described the innovation as a remarkable fusion of technology and compassion. He emphasized that the timely deployment of such life-saving equipment during the critical golden hour following a disaster could prevent countless deaths and ease suffering.
A dedicated team from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted detailed training sessions at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Doctors, nurses, disaster response professionals, and technical staff were given hands-on experience on how to set up and operate the BHISHM Cubes efficiently.
The cube’s design features 66 modular aluminium boxes, each weighing less than 20 kilograms, allowing for rapid transport by land or air. The system includes temporary living quarters for medical staff, a functional operating theatre, power backup through generators, cold storage for vaccines and medicines, and diagnostic machines like portable X-rays and ultrasound units.
Highlighting the mission behind the innovation, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Professor Dr. Tanmoy Roy, the principal designer of the BHISHM Cube and former Chief Surgeon of the Indian Armed Forces, said that in situations where every second counts, these cubes bridge the critical gap between rescue and treatment, delivering care at the last mile.
The demonstration event at AIIMS Bhubaneswar drew participation from several senior faculty members and administrative officials, including DEAN Dr. P. R. Mohapatra, Dr. Satyajit Mishra, Dr. Soubhagya Kumar Jena, MS Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, DDA Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar, Dr. Chittaranjan Mohanty (HoD, T\&E), Dr. Upendra Kumar Hansda, and Dr. Jayanta Kumar Mitra. Representatives from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and other emergency agencies were also present.
Already tested in challenging conditions by the Indian Army and Air Force in high-altitude zones, BHISHM Cubes have earned international acclaim, having been deployed in humanitarian missions across countries like Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Myanmar.
With AIIMS Bhubaneswar joining this advanced disaster-care initiative, Odisha is now better equipped to respond rapidly and effectively in times of crisis, ensuring that healthcare reaches the most vulnerable when they need it the most.
