Shillong, Sept 24: The availability of the BHISHM Cube at NEIGRIHMS will significantly strengthen disaster and emergency response capabilities in the Northeastern region, said Director Nalin Mehta.
“Training doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel through such programmes will enhance their technical capabilities, confidence and preparedness to respond effectively to emergency situations,” Mehta said while speaking at the “BHISHM REACT 2026” awareness and CME programme held on September 23.
Mehta also lauded the Casualty Department and the office of the Medical Superintendent for organising the programme.
The CME was attended by doctors from the Indian Army and the state government, besides healthcare professionals from NEIGRIHMS. More than 150 participants attended the programme.
The programme focused on the emergency deployment of BHISHM Cubes and disaster management. The BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, also known as the Aarogya Maitri Cube, is an indigenous portable hospital system designed for rapid deployment during disasters. It is a self-sufficient emergency medical facility equipped with basic surgical stations, defibrillators, portable ultrasound equipment and tents, and is capable of treating up to 200 casualties during the critical “golden hour” following a disaster.
The programme was held as part of the twin observance of “Swachhata Hi Sewa 2026” and “Patient Safety Week 2026” at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, since September 17.
As part of the fortnight-long Swachhata campaign, NEIGRIHMS conducted “Swachh PaathShala – Yuva for Swachhata” for students of Leads Higher Secondary School, Nongmensong. Staff and students took part in a cleanliness drive, followed by a poster competition aimed at promoting hygiene among youth.
The institute also organised “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” and a “Jan Bhagidari Advocacy Drive” to encourage staff and public participation in cleanliness activities. Under “Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir”, a free health camp was held for sanitation workers and their dependents.
The campaign will conclude on October 2 with “Swachh Bharat Diwas” and a tree plantation drive on the campus.
As part of Patient Safety Week, the Continuing Nursing Education Cell organised lectures on medication safety, incident reporting, and patient and family engagement to strengthen a culture of safety.
As a symbolic reaffirmation of their commitment to cleanliness, patient safety and emergency preparedness, participants took the Swachhata and Patient Safety Pledge during the event.
