NEIGRIHMS Boosts Disaster Response with Portable Hospitals

North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) recently observed Patient Safety Week, integrating cleanliness initiatives and emergency preparedness activities. A key highlight was the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) programme on September 23rd, which provided hands-on training for deploying BHISHM Cubes.

The BHISHM Cube, also known as the Aarogya Maitri Cube, represents India's first indigenous, portable hospital system. It is engineered for rapid deployment in disaster scenarios, functioning as an ultra-portable, self-sufficient emergency medical facility. The system includes essential medical equipment such as surgical stations and defibrillators, capable of supporting mass-casualty situations.

Each BHISHM Cube is designed to manage critical care, including trauma and intensive care, with the capacity to treat up to 200 individuals. The focus remains on providing immediate care during the crucial 'golden hour' post-disaster. NEIGRIHMS Director Prof. Nalin Mehta stated that the Cube's presence at the institute fortifies disaster response capabilities in the northeastern region.

Alongside the emergency preparedness focus, the institute conducted lectures on medication safety and patient engagement. The Swachhata campaign involved students and staff in cleanliness drives and advocacy efforts, culminating in a tree-plantation drive on October 2nd.