Getting Healthcare in Good Shape: Modi Govt Planning to Deploy Aarogya Maitri Cubes in Tribal Districts

The central government has asked the ministry of tribal affairs to deploy Aarogya Maitri Cube – the world’s first portable hospital made by India – in tribal pockets across the country, News18 has learnt. From an operation theatre to a mini-ICU, ventilator, blood test equipment, X-ray machine, cooking station, food, water, shelter, power generator, and much more – India has built the world’s first disaster hospital, that can be airlifted, packed in 72 cubes.

While HLL Life Care is the government’s nodal agency for sourcing the Aarogya Maitri Cube, the manufacturing has been undertaken by multiple sellers as it includes a variety of products.

HLL pitches project to tribal affairs ministry

In a letter written by HLL Lifecare – a central public sector unit under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – it has requested the union minister Arjun Munda to consider the deployment of the project in “all the tribal district headquarters”.

According to a government source privy to the development, the ministry has shown interest in the project.

“They are interested in deployment. We are working on a plan for deployment and demonstration,” he said.

The official also added that apart from the tribal affairs ministry, several other states have expressed interest in deployment. “For instance, Maharashtra has shown interest and had proposed to deploy these cubes in 30 district headquarters,” he said without divulging more details.

A friend in need

The official also said that India has recently sent five cubes to Libya through the UAE government, apart from Myanmar and Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture.

India, under this exercise – which is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Project BHISHM” (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) initiative – will provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

“India has proposed to set up a centre of excellence to facilitate development solutions for such countries,” HLL said in the letter dated September 12, adding that “the cube is cost-effective as it is packed in a way that makes it reusable with minimal wastage”.