India readying 2 mobile hospitals for emergency deployment by air, rail, road

India is gearing up to ready two container-based mobile hospitals for emergency deployment in cases of natural or other calamities, as part of the Rs 64,000 crore Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission unveiled by PM Narendra Modi on Monday.

Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the two hospitals would have 100 beds each and each hospital unit would have 33 containers for emergency medical care.

“These container based mobile hospitals will be ready for deployment in any emergency situation within 24 hours. The hospitals would be such that they can be transported through road, railways and air. Two container based hospitals are being developed. One each will remain stationed at Chennai and Delhi for ready movement across north and south India depending on the need,” Mandaviya said.

The hospitals are based on WHO norms, the ministry said.

Mandaviya added that another major feature of the Mission would be availability of 134 types of diagnostic tests at district hospitals.

The Mission has been allocated Rs 64,180 crore for roll out between 2021-22 and 2025-26.

The idea is to ensure diagnostics and treatment at each of the 730 districts by the next five years.

“Under this mission Rs 100 crore is proposed to be spent in each district for health infrastructure ramp up over the next five years,” said Mandaviya. TribuneIndia