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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.
United News of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Amid spike in COVID cases in Singapore an HK, Ministry issues advisory, allays fears
New delhi/Chennai, May 19 (UNI) Amid rising concerns over increasing COVID cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, which is said to be not life threatening, Union Health Minister J P Nadda allayed the fears of the public and reviewed the situation at a High Level Meeting on Emergency Health Systems Preparedness to prevent spread in India. An official release said the Health MInistry said urgent and comprehensive measures were taken to strengthen Health Systems and Resources across the Country ensuring availability of medicines in hospitals, including equipment and beds to tackle any emergency. The current status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to him and the Ministry was closely monitoring the situation. He was apprised of the actions taken regarding 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 Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units etc. . Hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure availability of essential drugs, adequate supply of blood, oxygen, trauma care kits etc. AIIMS New Delhi and other central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment. The Minister also directed to develop ground level linkages at State level and all districts, besides armed forces to tight the emergency response system. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner. Additionally, nationwide mock drills for disaster preparedness have been conducted at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other premier hospitals. For capacity building in emergency healthcare, additional training modules for CPR, first aid, and basic life support are being rolled out with support from Indian Red Cross Society, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), AIIMS, New Delhi and iGOT. The Union Health Secretary apprised about series of her meetings with states/UTs, and central government hospitals and healthcare institutes for seamless coordination with relevant stakeholders at the centre and within the states for ensuring effective response. UNI GV 0300 Union Health Minister has directed to ensure that all medical emergency response health systems be adequately equipped and functional at all times. He also directed to ensure that ground level linkages with all state governments particularly at the district levels, especially border states, be effectively established to ensure immediate emergency healthcare, if required. He also directed that a 24 x7 control and command centre in the Ministry should monitor ongoing efforts and support states in the present times. Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions. UNI GV 0300
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Government orders 24x7 control and command centre to monitor health infra amid India-Pak conflict
Representative Image NEW DELHI: The govt on Friday directed states/UTs to ensure that all medical emergency response health systems are adequately equipped and functional to deal with any potential medical emergency in view of the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Directions were also issued to officials in the health ministry to establish a 24x7 control and command centre to monitor ongoing efforts and support states. Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda Since India launched ' Operation Sindoor ' on Wednesday to target terror camps across Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, there have been attacks on districts sharing the border with the neighbouring nation causing loss of lives and injuries to many soldiers and civilians. If the conflict escalates further, the number of injured may go up and thus the need for immediate medical care. 'The health ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions,' union health minister J P Nadda said. The health minister held a review meeting on emergency health systems preparedness in New Delhi which was participated by top govt officials, from the centre and the states/UTs. Sources in the govt said the status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Nadda was also apprised of the actions taken regarding 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 Cubes (mobile hospital prototype that was developed in India in the aftermath of the pandemic and Ukraine-Russia), advanced mobile trauma care units etc. 'AIIMS New Delhi and other central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner,' the officials said. For capacity building in emergency healthcare , the officials added, training modules for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and basic life support are being rolled out with support from Indian Red Cross Society, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW) and AIIMS New Delhi among others. Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava apprised about a series of her meetings with states/UTs, and central government hospitals and healthcare institutes for seamless coordination with relevant stakeholders at the centre and within the states for ensuring effective response. Govt sources said BHISHM cubes are being deployed at AIIMS Jammu and SKIMS Srinagar near India's border to bolster medical readiness. These BHISHM cubes are also being stationed in other Institutes of National Importance (INIs) across India, including AIIMS in Rishikesh, Bilaspur and Delhi, they said. BHISHM cubes consist of more than 200 boxes/cubes of medical equipment – that can be made used to create a functional medical set up at any spot within 10 minutes. The prototype of this set up was displayed recently at the G20 summit in Gandhinagar. Officials said the prototype has enough medicines and equipment to provide emergency medical aid to more than 200 persons affected in any disaster situation. 'One of the biggest causes for loss of lives in any disaster situation is delayed medical intervention. This mobile hospital unit can help the health specialists or even trained manpower perform blood tests and take x-rays for preliminary diagnosis for medical intervention. It will also have the facility to conduct minor operations, for example removing a portion of the skull to relieve pressure on the underlying brain in case of a head injury,' officials said.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health Ministry cancels all leaves amid India-Pakistan tensions
New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday cancelled the leave of all health ministry officials till further notice. "In view of the impending situation, no leave of any kind, including station leave, is to be granted to any officer except on medical grounds, till further orders. Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately," the Health Ministry stated. Earlier today, Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a high-level meeting with senior health ministry officers to review emergency health systems preparedness. The current status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to the Union Minister. He was apprised of the actions taken regarding deployment of ambulances, ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies, including equipment, medicines, and blood vials and consumables, hospital readiness in terms of beds, ICU, and HDU, deployment of BHISHM Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units, etc. Hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure the availability of essential drugs, an adequate supply of blood, oxygen, trauma care kits, etc. AIIMS New Delhi and other central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions, etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner. Additionally, nationwide mock drills for disaster preparedness have been conducted at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other premier hospitals. The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions. The Indian Army, during the intervening night of May 8 and May 9, successfully repelled and responded to multiple drone attacks by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. "Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and a befitting reply was given to the CFVs. Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force," the Indian Army said.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
AIIMS Bhubaneswar announces cancellation of all leaves amid India-Pakistan tensions
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 10 (ANI): AIIMS Bhubaneswar has announced the cancellation of all kinds of leaves, including vacation and station leave in view of the circumstances arising in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. This comes after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday cancelled the leave of all health ministry officials. In an official order, AIIMS Bhubaneswar said, 'In pursuance to the Office Order of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India dated May 9, 2025 (copy attached) and in the view of impending situation, no leave of any kind including vacation and station leave is to be granted to any officer except on Medical Grounds, till further orders.' 'Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled, and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately. Therefore, all faculty members, Residents and all other staff members and Officers who are on leave as on date are hereby informed to report to duty immediately. This will come into force with immediate effect,' the letter further stated. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday cancelled the leave of all health ministry officials till further notice. 'In view of the impending situation, no leave of any kind, including station leave, is to be granted to any officer except on medical grounds, till further orders. Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately,' the Health Ministry stated. On Friday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a high-level meeting with senior health ministry officers to review emergency health systems preparedness. The current status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to the Union Minister. He was apprised of the actions taken regarding deployment of ambulances, ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies, including equipment, medicines, and blood vials and consumables, hospital readiness in terms of beds, ICU, and HDU, deployment of BHISHM Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units, etc. Hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure the availability of essential drugs, an adequate supply of blood, oxygen, trauma care kits, etc. AIIMS New Delhi and other Central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions, etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner. Additionally, nationwide mock drills for disaster preparedness have been conducted at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other premier hospitals. The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions. The Indian Army, during the intervening night of May 8 and May 9, successfully repelled and responded to multiple drone attacks by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
