Bhubaneswar, Jul 23: In a groundbreaking move to strengthen emergency healthcare during disasters, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has become the first institution in Odisha to receive three sets of BHISHM Cubes — a revolutionary modular medical kit developed under the Arogya Maitri initiative by the National Security Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.

Designed for rapid deployment in disaster zones, BHISHM Cubes are compact, mobile medical units capable of providing emergency care to over 200 victims at a time. Each cube comprises 66 lightweight aluminum modules containing 338 essential medical items, including Ayurvedic medicines, surgical tools, portable diagnostic devices, trauma life support systems, and even a fully functional operation theatre setup.

The cubes can be transported via land, air, or water and assembled within hours, drastically reducing response time in critical situations. AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas emphasized that these cubes will significantly enhance the institute’s disaster response capabilities, especially in post-crisis scenarios like the Balasore train tragedy, where AIIMS had earned praise for its efficient mortuary management.

The BHISHM Cubes were conceptualized and designed by Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Prof. Dr. Tanmay Ray, former Chief Surgeon of the Indian Armed Forces. He stated that the cubes bridge the gap between rescue and medical aid, ensuring last-mile healthcare delivery in disaster-hit areas.

A dedicated team from the Ministry of Health conducted training and demonstration sessions for doctors, nurses, and emergency responders at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The event saw participation from senior faculty including Dr. PR Mahapatra, Dr. Satyajit Mishra, Dr. Saubhagya Kumar Jena, and representatives from NDRF and OSDMA.

Notably, BHISHM Cubes have already been deployed internationally in Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Myanmar, earning global recognition for their efficiency and innovation.

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