India has unveiled the world’s first portable disaster hospital, Aarogya Maitri Cube, a groundbreaking facility in Gurugram that can be airlifted and consists of 72 cubes. This extraordinary endeavor is a component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “Project BHISHM” (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), unveiled in February 2022.
The Aarogya Maitri Cube: A Glimpse Inside
- The heart of this innovative disaster hospital lies in its 72 cubes, each containing an array of essential equipment and supplies.
- Among these are an operation theatre, a mini-ICU, ventilators, blood test equipment, an X-ray machine, a cooking station, food, water, shelter, a power generator, and more.
- These cubes are ingeniously designed to provide critical medical care and humanitarian aid in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Aarogya Maitri Cube’s Remarkable Features
- One of the most remarkable features of the Aarogya Maitri Cube is its ability to handle a wide range of severe injuries.
- This include 40 bullet injuries, 25 major burns, around 10 head injuries, long limb fractures, spinal injuries, chest injuries, and spinal fractures.
- This versatile disaster hospital is engineered to address the diverse medical needs of survivors in challenging conditions.
A Modular Solution for Disaster Relief
- The Aarogya Maitri Cube is modular in design, which enhances its efficiency and adaptability during disaster response missions.
- It comprises 72 cubes, which can be combined to create a specialized cage designed to accommodate 36 mini-cubes.
- These mini-cubes contain almost everything necessary for the survival of 100 survivors for a period of 48 hours.
- Remarkably, there are two of these cages, referred to as master cubes, which can be joined together to support up to 200 survivors.
- The design of these cubes draws inspiration from the “Rubik’s Cube,” ensuring that each cube is lightweight, weighing less than 20kg.
- This lightweight design allows them to be easily carried manually for distances of up to a kilometer, facilitating rapid deployment to disaster-stricken areas.
A Mobile Hospital for Critical Care
- Each master cube, consisting of 36 mini-cubes, boasts a total weight of less than 750 kg.
- When two such cubes are combined, they transform into a mobile hospital capable of performing life-saving surgeries and providing comprehensive medical care.
- This remarkable flexibility ensures that the Aarogya Maitri Cube can adapt to the unique needs of each disaster scenario, providing critical care when and where it is needed most.
Advanced Technology and Sustainability
- To enhance the efficiency of the disaster hospital, a tablet-based application has been developed to operate all 72 cubes seamlessly.
- The kit also includes a portable generator, featuring both traditional and solar panel-based options, ensuring a reliable power supply for the entire setup.
- Furthermore, all equipment is rechargeable, promoting sustainability in disaster relief operations.
Important Questions Related to Exams
Q. What is the significance of the Aarogya Maitri Cube in disaster response?
Answer: It is a groundbreaking facility that can be airlifted and consists of 72 cubes, providing essential medical care and humanitarian aid.
Q. What are some key features of the Aarogya Maitri Cube’s internal setup?
Answer: It includes an operation theatre, a mini-ICU, ventilators, blood test equipment, an X-ray machine, a cooking station, food, water, shelter, a power generator, and more.
Q. What is the main objective of “Project BHISHM,” according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
Answer: Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri, aimed at ambitious healthcare initiatives.