India’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been requested by the central government to deploy the Aarogya Maitri Cube, the world’s first portable hospital made by India, in tribal areas across the country. The Aarogya Maitri Cube, developed under Project BHISHM, is a disaster hospital that can be packed into 72 cubes and airlifted to any location.
The cube includes essential medical facilities such as an operation theatre, mini-ICU, ventilators, blood test equipment, X-ray machines, a cooking station, food, water, shelter, and power generators. HLL Life Care, the government’s nodal agency, is responsible for sourcing the Aarogya Maitri Cube, while manufacturing is undertaken by multiple sellers.
HLL Lifecare, in a letter to union minister Arjun Munda, has requested the deployment of the project in all tribal district headquarters. The ministry has shown interest in the project and is working on a plan for deployment and demonstration. Additionally, other states like Maharashtra have expressed interest in deploying the cubes in their district headquarters.
As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Project BHISHM,” India has sent five cubes to Libya through the UAE government, as well as to Myanmar and Sri Lanka, as a goodwill gesture. The Aarogya Maitri Cube is part of India’s initiative to provide essential medical supplies to developing countries affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
India has proposed setting up a center of excellence to facilitate development solutions for such countries. The cube is cost-effective as it can be packed in a reusable manner with minimal wastage.
Overall, the Aarogya Maitri Cube represents a significant development in portable healthcare infrastructure, enabling swift response and aid in times of crisis.
Sources:
– News18 article on Aarogya Maitri Cube deployment by Ministry of Tribal Affairs
