India Sends BHISHM Cube Aid to Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka

India Sends BHISHM Cube Aid to Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka

Why in the News ?

India has deployed the BHISHM Cube under the Aarogya Maitri Project to support Sri Lanka’s cyclone-affected region of Indivitiya, Ja-Ela. The portable medical unit is providing essential healthcare services and emergency treatment, highlighting India’s commitment to regional humanitarian assistance.

India’s Cyclone Relief Support to Sri Lanka:

• India has extended critical assistance to cyclone-hit Indivitiya in Sri Lanka through deployment of the BHISHM Cube, a rapid medical-response system.
• The initiative is part of the Government of India’s Aarogya Maitri Project, aimed at strengthening humanitarian outreach across the neighbourhood.
• According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the BHISHM Cube has emerged as a vital medical lifeline, particularly in flooded and inaccessible areas surrounding Ja-Ela.
• The relief operation is being jointly managed by Sri Lankan Medical Services, the Air Force Hospital Katunayake, and the Indian medical contingent.
• The mission reflects India’s broader policy of Neighbourhood First and its longstanding support for Sri Lanka in times of crisis.

On-Ground Operations and Medical Impact

• An open community space in Indivitiya was swiftly converted into a fully operational medical centre using the BHISHM Cube’s modular capabilities.
• The centre now provides multi-OPD services, enabling simultaneous treatment of multiple patients across different specialities.
• It is equipped with a laboratory, X-ray facility, and a Minor Operation Theatre, enhancing emergency response during the cyclone aftermath.
• Medical teams have been addressing a broad spectrum of health issues—from trauma injuries caused by flooding to essential primary healthcare consultations.
• Over 300 patients have already received timely treatment, demonstrating the Cube’s high operational efficiency in disaster zones.