India's medical task force under Operation Amistad has established a fully functional 24x7 field hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, providing critical medical support to survivors of the twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck northern Venezuela, leaving nearly 1,500 dead and tens of thousands missing.
Hospital Capacity and Initial Operations
The field hospital currently operates with a 20-bed facility, which can be expanded to a 50-bed capacity to meet rising demand. As of the latest report, the facility has treated 42 outpatients and has had one admission. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Venezuelan Vice Health Minister and the Head of Government of the Capital District of Venezuela visited the Indian field hospital.
Jaiswal stated, "Operation Amistad underway in Venezuela. Army Field Hospital giving a caring hand to those impacted by the earthquake."
Medical Team and Equipment
The medical contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers from the 60 Para Field Hospital, transported by two Indian Air Force C17 transport planes along with supplies. The hospital is fully staffed with dedicated medical officers, surgeons, anaesthetists, dental and orthopaedic specialists, and provides on-site X-ray and laboratory diagnostics.
The hospital is built around the BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri), a state-of-the-art, indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facility designed for disaster and humanitarian response. The BHISHM Cube comprises compact, self-contained medical modules that can be quickly assembled into a fully functional field hospital capable of delivering advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries, intensive care support, and essential medical treatment for up to 200 patients. It is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation, and oxygen support systems.
Impact and Broader Context
The deployment is a direct response to the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela. The Indian Army's specialised medical contingent is assisting in humanitarian relief efforts, providing emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support, and other essential healthcare services to the affected population. This operation underscores India's capability to provide swift and effective medical assistance during humanitarian crises worldwide.
