In response to ongoing cross-border shelling by Pakistan, the Indian government has activated an emergency healthcare response in Jammu and Kashmir. Two portable hospitals, known as Arogya Maitri Cubes, have been dispatched to the heavily affected regions of Poonch and Uri, according to two officials familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
These Arogya Maitri Cubes are designed for rapid deployment in crisis zones, including war and natural disaster areas. Originally used in Ukraine, these mobile units can be operational within 12 minutes and are capable of treating up to 200 patients simultaneously.
Under the emergency plan, one cube is being stationed in Poonch the area most severely impacted by the shelling and the other in Uri.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava convened a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir officials on Wednesday to assess the region’s preparedness for health emergencies. “The government evaluated the readiness of border-area hospitals. AIIMS-Jammu has been instructed to boost its emergency preparedness by reviewing the availability of beds, essential medicines, ambulances, and healthcare personnel including doctors, nurses, and paramedics,” one of the officials stated.
AIIMS Jammu, which operates a comprehensive disaster management system, serves as a referral center and functions around the clock. Although it is nearly 250 kilometers from Poonch, it remains a critical facility for serious cases. Meanwhile, Srinagar has healthcare infrastructure with several major hospitals and medical colleges, such as the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Jhelum Valley Hospitals, G.B. Pant Children’s Hospital, and Lal Ded Maternity Hospital.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a high-level review meeting with senior officials from various ministries to evaluate national security preparedness and inter-ministerial coordination.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) highlighted that each ministry has been tasked with reviewing its operational readiness, emergency response capabilities, and internal communication systems. “All ministries have outlined their specific responsibilities and are reinforcing their procedures to respond effectively to the ongoing conflict,” the statement said.
