8 minutes to disaster spot: AIIMS-Bilaspur starts first-in-county project for novel treatment
The Newz Radar Network
Disaster victims in Himachal Pradesh will no longer be deprived of medical treatment when roads are closed due to cloudbursts, floods or other natural calamities. The central government’s Project Bhishma aims to provide timely and on-the-spot treatment to people affected by disasters, ensuring that the hospital comes to the victims rather than the other way around. This innovative approach includes AIIMS-Bilaspur, making it the first health institute in the country to join the project.
Under Project Bhishma, the AIIMS-Bilaspur will utilise the Aarogya Maitri facility to deliver superior health services. Dr Dinesh Verma from AIIMS-Bilaspur shared this information during a disaster management meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner at Bilaspur Bhatt Bhavan.
Dr Verma stated that as a part of this project, AIIMS can establish a fully functional hospital at any disaster site within just eight minutes, ensuring no victim succumbs due to a lack of treatment. AIIMS doctors have already been trained for this rapid response.
AIIMS-Bilaspur will receive 36 boxes, totalling 720 kg, containing all necessary hospital equipment. These boxes, designed to withstand being dropped from significant heights and resistant to water damage, will be delivered to disaster sites via helicopter. Once on site, the hospital setup can begin immediately, enabling the treatment of up to 200 patients within eight minutes. The mobile hospital will include facilities such as an operation theatre, X-ray machines, ventilators and blood sampling equipment.
The implementation of Project Bhishma will particularly benefit districts like Bilaspur, among others in the state. AIIMS has developed a separate standard operating procedure (SOP) for disaster management, which is considered a commendable step. Additionally, the control room of AIIMS will be directly linked with the District Disaster Management Authority control room, ensuring seamless information sharing during any disaster.
