The Indian Air Force has test-dropped from its potent C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft cubes of the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri at Agra. The test was performed to validate whether the hospital can be deployed to cater to emergencies anywhere. The innovative BHISHM aid cube, which is integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics, is equipped with several tools that enhance disaster response by facilitating coordination, real-time monitoring and better management of medical services in field conditions, both during war and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) scenarios.
The entire unit consists of 72 parts that are easily transportable and can even be carried by hand or a drone. The cube, designed for various configurations, can be made operational in 12 minutes and can be used during mass casualty events ranging from basic aid to advanced medical or surgical care.
BHISHM is built under the Aarogaya Maitri project. The aim of the project is for India to provide medical aid to not only its own citizens affected by disasters but also to supply critical medical resources to other countries that are affected by a natural disaster or any other humanitarian crisis. India sees itself as the first responder to any crisis in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Just last week India was the first nation to provide relief material to flood-hit Kenya, providing the country with food and medical help. Early last year India was also the first country to provide medical and disaster relief support to Turkey when it was hit by a massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale, causing over 50,000 fatalities. BHISHM, especially now air-deployable, will catalyse faster medical response or help in areas where even airports are not operational.
Two BHISHM cubes were also used during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Janam Bhoomi in Ayodhya earlier this year to provide medical support if required. PM Modi along with 8,000 top dignitaries from various walks of life were present for the ceremony.
Dhruv Yadav
