SKIMS Soura gets into emergency mode

Srinagar, May 9: In a bid to strengthen medical preparedness amid the ongoing situation following Operation Sindoor, the state-of-the-art BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri) medical cubes are being deployed at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar and AIIMS Jammu.

These portable and modular medical facilities are designed to provide critical emergency care in disasters and public health crises.

An official at SKIMS Soura said that the hospital's management was in constant touch with Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “The Union Ministry teams have reviewed the disaster preparedness amidst the ongoing violence around LoC,” the official, wishing anonymity said. He said that the team had also visited the hospital and a review of the wards and supplies that had been allocated for emergency in view of the situation. “The BHISHM cubes are part of the preparedness measures,” he said.

The decision for BHISM was taken after the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda’s reviewed health infrastructure across the country on May 8. In Kashmir, SKIMS Soura is among the select Institutes of National Importance (INIs) to receive these advanced medical units, alongside AIIMS Jammu and other AIIMS facilities in Rishikesh, Bilaspur, and Delhi.

The BHISHM cube is equipped with medicines, surgical tools, and advanced technology to handle up to 200 emergency cases and can be set up rapidly, literally within minutes. It comprises of 72 lightweight, waterproof components, making them ideal for challenging terrains and situations. The cubes are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and can be synced with tele-Medicine Services of institutes for  efficient coordination of medical services during crises.

According to Air Vice Marshal Dr Tanmoy Roy of HLL Lifecare, the nodal agency under the Union Health Ministry for the project, two BHISHM cubes have already been stationed at AIIMS Jammu, with more being allocated. Around 35 cubes have been deployed across other INIs nationwide. “We are also providing operational training to medical staff at SKIMS and other institutes to ensure seamless use of these facilities,” Dr. Roy said.

The cubes can withstand harsh conditions and can be deployed in diverse scenarios. These are critical assets in wake of the recent border hostilities following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22.