Latest news with #BHISHM
Mint
11-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
India to ramp up training of medical staff in frontline healthcare for mass casualty management
New Delhi: In an effort to strengthen the country's medical emergency preparedness, the Union government is working on a plan to create a specialized cadre of doctors and medical staff equipped to effectively manage incidents involving mass casualties. These frontline healthcare workers will be stationed at hospital emergency units, and the development assumes significance given the increasing frequency of natural and man-made disasters, according to officials aware of the matter. This army of doctors will be crucial in providing an immediate and coordinated medical response during large-scale emergencies. The initiative is called the Mass Casualty Management Programme, and more than 1,000 healthcare workers will be trained in crisis management. This is crucial given the increasing frequency of various disasters. 'This nationwide capacity-building effort will involve training of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals through 50 training sessions. The proposal for this training was approved at a high-level meeting of the Mission Steering Meeting National Health Mission (NHM) held recently,' said one of the officials aware of the matter. The total estimated cost for this programme is ₹ 6.55 crore, another official familiar with the matter said. 'Each training programme will host 20 participants, consisting of five individuals from each of the four participating hospitals. Trainees will include doctors (emergency physicians and other medical practitioners) and nurses from hospital emergency departments, as well as designated disaster response coordinators. The training of trainers (ToT) sessions will run for five days, while subsequent training courses will be three days long,' stated the document reviewed by Mint. Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson on Tuesday remained unanswered. Another key objective of this programme is to ensure that the newly introduced Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes are used effectively. These rapidly deployable, modular mobile disaster management hospitals are designed to treat up to 200 people at a disaster site. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), India has 13.86 lakh doctors registered with State Medical Councils and the NMC. Furthermore, the country has 36.14 lakh registered nursing personnel. Earlier,Mintreported that the Union government plans to acquire 50 of these BHISHM Cubes for 22 strategic locations, including places like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). While India's rapidly deployable BHISHM cubes are valuable for disaster management in underserved areas, their effectiveness depends on equally vital elements: skilled personnel and strong teamwork, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert and former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA, Cochin) said. 'Short, intensive training for doctors and nurses, especially those with experience in casualty departments, can make a real difference on the ground. Emphasis must be paid to the quality and standardisation of the training modules. Drills will ensure the expertise of personnel translates into outcomes, especially while working as a newly deployed team in a limited infrastructure setting. As such events are unpredictable and may not happen for a long time, periodic re-certification will be helpful,' Jayadevan added.
Mint
09-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Tested in Pak conflict, health ministry to buy 50 cube hospitals
New Delhi: The health ministry plans to buy 50 portable hospitals from state-run HLL Lifecare Ltd, according to a senior government official and documents reviewed by Mint, after deploying two of them during the recent conflict with Pakistan. These so-called advanced trauma care units, known as Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes, are part of the Centre's plan to significantly enhance India's disaster response capabilities. At BHISHM cube's core are several compact, portable "mini cubes" filled with essential medicines and equipment, designed for rapid deployment in various emergencies. Each of these indigenously developed mobile hospitals can treat up to 200 people per day, and will be strategically deployed at 22 Central government institutes and hospitals, including at all All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Each Cube consists of medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations. It also includes surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room. The effectiveness of these mobile hospitals was recently demonstrated during the India-Pakistan conflict, when two BHISHM cubes were successfully used in Kashmir to treat the injured. These lightweight flat-packed mobile units, which look like tents, can be quickly flown to an affected area and assembled in less than an hour. 'There's a plan to procure at least 50 BHISHM cubes which are to be stationed in all the AIIMS for use in case of disaster or calamity," said an official aware of the matter requesting anonymity. The matter was discussed during the 9th Mission Steering Group (MSG) meeting of the National Health Mission (NHM), held recently and chaired by health minister J.P. Nadda, reflecting a strategic shift towards more agile and efficient healthcare delivery during disasters and public health emergencies. According to the documents reviewed by Mint, BHISHM cubes are set to replace the previously approved Container-Based Mobile Hospitals (CGMH) under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). CBMHs, large in size and not easy to move around quickly, were approved in 2021 at a total estimated cost of ₹212.92 crore. On the other hand, BHISHM Cubes are small, modular and easy-to-move mobile hospitals that can be set up quickly. They use rapid frequency identification or RFID, which helps identify and track things using radio waves. 'This change means that India will have a better and faster way to provide emergency medical help wherever it's needed," the official added. BHISHM Cubes, indigenously developed under the aegis of the National Security Council Secretariat as part of the Aarogya Maitri initiative, are designed to treat up to 200 casualties per day directly at the site of an incident. 'The new proposal will utilize approximately ₹133.1 crore from the approved capital budget of PM-ABHIM for the procurement of the 50 BHISHM Cubes," the documents stated. The official said that during the meeting, Nadda emphasized the need for a strong system in place to check the quality of the Cubes, especially as so many of them are being ordered. The minister has directed HLL Lifecare Ltd to make sure they meet all the required quality standards. A high-level committee was suggested to ensure quality standards for the mobile hospitals. 'This initiative is set to greatly improve India's ability to deliver immediate, life-saving emergency care. This is especially important for making the most of available resources and ensuring these units can be quickly sent to different locations. The BHISHM Cubes are planned for deployment at 22 specific central government hospitals and institutions," the official said. Dr Alexander Thomas, founder and patron, Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) and other such organizations, said rapid deployment systems like these are crucial for disaster preparedness and emergency response. 'However, infrastructure alone is not enough. Having an emergency care setup is a good idea, but it must be matched with well-trained personnel—intensivists, nurses, and paramedics—who can effectively manage mass casualty situations. Even in our premier institutions like AIIMS, many posts remain vacant. The success of this initiative will depend not just on technology, but on ensuring adequate manpower, training, and maintenance," Dr Thomas said. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, public health expert and former president at Indian Medical Association (IMA) Cochin chapter, said the shift towards rapidly deployable cube-based mobile hospitals is in line with global trends. 'The earlier container-based systems were expensive and cumbersome. Whether it is a natural disaster, epidemic or war, human health requires immediate attention. Such events often occur in inaccessible areas without state of the art healthcare facilities, and hence the need for these mobile hospitals. They need to be staffed by trained personnel, and designating a reserve pool of trained doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and logistics experts in advance will ensure they are immediately available on site at the newly assembled facilities. They may be linked to a parent tertiary hospital," Dr Jayadevan said. Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson on Tuesday remained unanswered at press time.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Jipmer launches state-of-the-art disaster response facility with BHISHM Cube
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has launched a state-of-the-art mobile unit that aims to significantly raise the levels of disaster preparedness. The facility, established with the BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, is designed to provide swift and comprehensive care during natural and man-made disasters, a press note said. The initiative, under the Arogya Maitri Project of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, represents a committed effort to enhance healthcare resilience and emergency response, especially in regions vulnerable to large-scale emergencies such as those in southern India, Jipmer said. The BHISHM Cube is equipped with a wide array of life-saving tools, including defibrillators, portable ultrasound, infusion pumps, surgical and anaesthesia stations, blood and fluid warming systems, and advanced triage modules. The Cube represents a convergence of cutting-edge medical technology, strategic mobility, and humanitarian intent. Each cube is compact, weighing under 20 kg, and can be manually transported or deployed using drones, boats, or vehicles. Built on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, the BHISHM Cube is engineered to function with minimal reliance on existing infrastructure, allowing rapid deployment even in the most challenging terrains. Two mother cubes form a full trauma response brick, capable of supporting up to 200 casualties and providing treatment within the golden hour—a critical factor in saving lives during disasters. According to the press note, Jipmer would be hosting two such sets of cubes in its disaster stockpile. The facility was inaugurated at a function on Wednesday held at the SuperSpecialty Block annexe in the presence of A. Kulothungan, District Collector, V. Ravichandran, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services, and Vir Singh Negi, Director of Jipmer, along with other dignitaries. In this connection, a detailed presentation of BHISHM Cube's capabilities was led by Tanmay Roy, retired Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces of India, in collaboration with the technical team from HLL Lifecare Limited, the implementing agency for the project. The presentation offered insight into the Cube's modular design, medical capabilities, and operational readiness, and provided hands-on training to the attending doctors, nurses, and disaster management personnel. A team of four doctors and two nurses nominated by the Health Department, along with officers deputed from the State Disaster Management Cell, participated in the operational demo. The demonstration aimed at not only showcasing the clinical and logistical strengths of the Cube but also at laying the foundation for local capacity building and disaster readiness, the press note said.
Mint
11-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
India to boost production of combat medicines, pharma dept told to prepare list of drugs
New Delhi: India plans to increase the production of combat medicines, including drugs to treat burns, blood replenishers for treatment of trauma injuries such as gunshot wounds, and orthopedic implants. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been tasked to come up with a list of such medicines and ensure an increase in their production to mitigate health risk from the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Also Read | Health emergency plan introduced for J&K, portable hospitals in Poonch, Uri The top drug price regulator—National Pharmaceutical Price Regulator (NPPA)—has been directed by the Centre to ensure that the prices of such pharmaceutical items are brought under control. 'The department of pharmaceuticals along with the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) is preparing a list of all such medicines used for the treatment of trauma and burn injury, bullet injury and wound etc, so that the production of such pharmaceutical items can be augmented in the country to deal with any health emergency, if needed," said an official familiar with the matter. Also Read | E-pharmacies, chemists at odds as govt mulls a stop to home delivery of drugs A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by the union health minister J.P. Nadda on Friday to review the preparedness of the health sector. In a war-like situation, health expenditure significantly goes up due to higher demand for medical care, particularly for combat-related injuries and the mental health impacts of conflict. Medicines and surgical equipment like painkillers, antibiotics, gauges, orthopedic implants, blood replenishers among other products are used for the treatment of trauma injuries, bullet or gunshot wounds, etc. Also Read | India should permit easier access to over-the-counter medicines The official added that the top drug regulator has been tasked to review the companies which are manufacturing such products so that they can be and directed to increase the production of such items. 'Similarly, the NPPA has to ensure the price control of these pharmaceutical items." During the meeting, the government the reviewed the medical preparedness for handling emergency cases, deployment of ambulances; ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies including equipment, medicines, supply of blood vials and consumables; hospital readiness in terms of beds, ICU and HDU; deployment of BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units etc. 'A 24*7 control and command centre is being set up in the health ministry to monitor ongoing efforts and support states in the present times and fulfil the requirements of the state/UT governments," the official said. A senior doctor from the burns and plastic department at a government hospital said, 'We are ready to tackle any health crisis and we have adequate number of beds, medical supplies etc. In the event of trauma injury or gun shot injury, medicines like painkillers, antibiotics and requirements of blood get increased." Dr Mahesh Mangal, head of plastic surgery department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that main war-related injuries are caused by blasts and burns. "A hospital's trauma team comprising plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeon, neuro surgeon, general surgeon etc, should be capable of saving the life of the patient. Requirement of combat medicine increases during this time—which are life-saving drugs, blood and blood products, fluids, dressings, oxygen, antibiotics and painkillers." Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered.
News18
10-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Over 1,000 Doctors Trained As India Set To Deploy Portable Hospitals Near Borders Amid Tensions With Pakistan
Last Updated: The world's first disaster hospital, fitted in 72 cubes that can be airlifted, is being packed and delivered to several locations across India Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the central government has begun deploying made-in-India portable disaster hospitals across all border areas, News18 has learnt. The world's first disaster hospital, fitted in 72 cubes that can be airlifted, is being packed and delivered to several locations across India. Also, India has begun training doctors to use this cube-style hospital, known as the Aarogya Maitri Cube. Project BHISHM Built under the project BHISHM—Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri—these cubes contain an operation theatre, mini-ICU, ventilator, blood test equipment, X-ray machine, cooking station, food, water, shelter, power generator, and many more facilities. 'In the last 20 days, we have dispatched around 30 to 40 Cubes from our warehouse to institutes of national importance across the border areas," former Air Vice Marshal Dr Tanmoy Roy, who headed the BHISHM task force in 2023, told News18. Roy, who is credited as the visionary behind the BHISHM cubes, which are designed for rapid deployment in disaster and conflict zones, said that the cubes are being deployed as per the plan designed and communicated by the union ministry of health and family welfare. The kits are being procured by HLL Lifecare, which is a Miniratna enterprise under the ministry of health and family welfare. Apart from Jammu & Kashmir, AIIMS Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), AIIMS Rishikesh (Uttarakhand), AIIMS Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and AIIMS Bathinda (Punjab) have also received the BHISM cubes, along with Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Pondicherry) and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, Meghalaya. In the next week, Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital is also expected to receive the delivery. These cubes can be quickly moved to the location of the crisis, as and when required, along with doctors and paramedics. Over 1,000 doctors trained to handle war-related injuries In the last ten days, more than 1,000 doctors and paramedic staff have been trained on Aarogya Maitri Cube hospitals. The portable hospital has been designed to handle war-like health emergencies, which include bullet injuries, explosions, fractures, and bleeding. The hospital contains an anaesthesia kit, which contains advanced surgical equipment, with an operation theatre (OT) for casualties needing surgical intervention. The OT contains one foldable table for a surgical team of five people. It has a ventilator, anaesthesia, and several other important medical devices. 'The training is going on across India. In the last 10 days, we have trained more than 1,000 doctors and other healthcare staff," said Roy, who came back on Saturday morning from Jammu after training doctors in the tense region. 'We are training them on how they can use the portable hospital as normally as they use their usual premises. Also, doctors are trained for trauma, but not war. We are trying to make them familiar with war-like situations and triage." The BHISHM cube has everything that a doctor would need to handle a mass casualty. 'From handling bleeding, bullet injuries, explosive blasts, fractures, spine injuries, and lung or abdomen injuries to conducting surgeries—the cube has everything," said Roy. First Published: May 10, 2025, 22:48 IST
