Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to war-torn Ukraine marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country since its independence in 1991.

One of the key highlights of Modi’s visit is the presentation of the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes. These critical trauma care units, also known as Arokya Maitri cubes, have been indigenously developed under Project Aarogya Maitri.

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What is BHISHM?

The BHISHM initiative, part of Project Aarogya Maitri, focuses on delivering emergency medical care through compact, easily deployable cubes. These cubes, packed with essential medicines and equipment, are organized by the types of injuries and medical issues encountered in war or natural disasters. The mini cubes, each weighing a maximum of 20 kg, can be transported via air, sea, land, or even by drone.

A single mother cube, formed by 36 mini cubes, can provide first-line care for various injuries, emergency situations, and shelter and food for a crew of five for 48 hours. Another mother cube contains surgical equipment capable of setting up a basic operating room, managing 10-15 surgeries per day.

The BHISHM cubes are designed for ease of use, featuring RFID-based inventory management and instructional videos accessible through a tablet supporting about 180 languages. These cubes can handle approximately 200 cases of trauma, burns, fractures, and other emergencies, while also supporting basic surgeries and generating power and oxygen for limited periods.

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kyiv, the Government of India decided to gift four BHISHM cubes to Ukraine.