Shillong: Awareness programmes, cleanliness drives and emergency-preparedness activities marked Patient Safety Week and Swachhata Hi Sewa 2026 at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).The institute organised the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) programme on Sept 23, focusing on hands-on training in the emergency deployment of BHISHM Cubes and disaster management.“The BHISHM Cube, also known as the Aarogya Maitri Cube, is the world’s first indigenous, portable hospital system designed for rapid deployment during disasters and emergencies. It is an ultra-portable and self-sufficient emergency medical facility with basic surgical stations, defibrillators, portable ultrasound and tents,” a statement said.“The system is designed to support the management of mass-casualty situations, including major trauma, surgical care and intensive care, and can treat up to 200 people, focusing on the critical ‘golden hour’ after a disaster,” NEIGRIHMS said.Director Prof. Nalin Mehta said the availability of BHISHM Cube at the institute would strengthen disaster and mass-casualty preparedness in the northeastern region.Continuing Nursing Education Cell conducted lectures on medication safety, incident reporting and patient and family engagement to promote a safer healthcare environment.More than 150 people, including Indian Army and state govt doctors and NEIGRIHMS healthcare professionals, attended the programme.Under the fortnight-long Swachhata campaign, the institute organised Swachh PaathShala–Yuva for Swachhata for higher secondary students, who joined staff in cleanliness drives.It also held Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath and a Jan Bhagidari Advocacy Drive. The campaign will conclude on Oct 2 with Swachh Bharat Diwas and a tree-plantation drive on the institute premises.
