Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri Cubes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 162 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## BHARATHEALTH INITIATIVE FOR SAHYOG HITA& MAITRI CUBES

## *162. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the role of Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes in providing emergency life saving clinical care in the event of disaster/public health emergency;
- (b) the capacity of BHISHM cubes to handle the cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, haemorrhage and other critical conditions;
- (c) the total number of BHISHM cubes placed in the first phase, State and district-wise including Palghar district in the State of Maharashtra; and
- (d) the manner in which BHISHM cubes contribute to strengthening the emergency healthcare response system in affected areas?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 162 FOR 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

(a) & (b) The Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes are advanced mobile modular kits, designed to offer rapid, first-line medical care in the management of patients during first few hours following a disaster situation or public health emergencies.

The BHISHM Cube is built for maximum flexibility and for rapid deployment, with the ability to be delivered by air, sea, land, or drones, enabling quick response in remote or conflict zones. This multi-modal deployment capability ensures that the cubes can reach the most critical areas with minimal delay.

BHISHM Cubes are specifically engineered to handle a broad spectrum of patients that are common in disaster zones which includes trauma, hemorrhage, burns, fractures, and other life-threatening injuries.

In addition to its medical capabilities, each BHISHM Cube is equipped with survival provisions for a medical crew of up to five personnel for 48 hours. This includes food, water, shelter, power stations, and other survival aids, ensuring that teams can operate independently in austere conditions until further assistance arrives.

(c) & (d) In the initial phase of deployment, BHISHM Cubes have been dispatched to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Ukraine for humanitarian aid and used in Ayodhya during Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Presently, there is no proposal for placement of BHISHM cubes in Palghar district of Maharashtra.

The deployment of BHISHM Cubes plays a critical role in strengthening the emergency healthcare response system by filling gaps in areas with limited healthcare access, particularly during emergencies. These mobile units allow for immediate medical attention in affected regions, thereby reducing response time and increasing survival rates. The cubes provide a decentralized healthcare option, which is especially valuable in rural or remote areas. By offering rapid stabilization and treatment close to the disaster site, BHISHM Cubes help to alleviate the strain on overwhelmed local hospitals and facilitate patient stabilization and their transfer to a secondary or tertiary level care facility, if necessary. This model supports the overall emergency healthcare framework by ensuring a more agile and robust response during times of crisis.