India has handed over two state-of-the-art Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes to the Maldives, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector and enhancing the country’s emergency medical response capabilities.

The first-of-its-kind portable hospital units were delivered during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing state visit to the Maldives at the invitation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Developed as self-contained mobile medical units, each Aarogya Maitri Health Cube is designed to provide immediate healthcare services in emergencies and disaster situations.

The cubes include intensive care units, mini operating theatres, X-ray machines, blood testing equipment, and independent power generation systems. Each unit is capable of treating up to 200 patients and performing 10 to 15 surgeries per day, operating continuously for up to 72 hours.

The portable hospitals can be deployed via land, air, or parachute and can be operational within 12 minutes of setup. Designed for use in unconventional situations, they are equipped with modular kits and medical supplies tailored for trauma care, surgical intervention, and diagnostic support.

According to the Ministry of Health, the donated units will be operated by the Maldives Emergency Medical Service. A team of 20 medical personnel is being trained by Indian health professionals during a training held from 23-26 July.  The Government stated that the cubes would strengthen the national healthcare system’s ability to respond to emergencies, particularly in the outer islands and areas with limited access to medical facilities.

India has been a consistent partner in the development of the Maldives’ health sector, supporting both infrastructure and human resource development. The Government of India has previously provided medical supplies, vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and training opportunities for Maldivian health professionals.