Universal BioMed Cross (UBMC), the global biomedical emergency response initiative established by Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), has completed its first year by building a worldwide network of more than 1,000 biomedical volunteers across 55 countries. The initiative is helping strengthen healthcare preparedness by providing biomedical expertise, technical support and emergency response capabilities during disasters and humanitarian crises.
The milestone was celebrated during UBMC’s first Foundation Day programme, where the organisation also launched its first international humanitarian initiative. Biomedical rescue kits were flagged off to support healthcare services in emergency situations, marking the beginning of UBMC’s overseas humanitarian operations.
UBMC was established to address a critical challenge faced by hospitals during natural disasters, conflicts and public health emergencies. While shortages of doctors and healthcare workers often receive immediate attention, many hospitals also struggle because essential medical equipment becomes inoperative. UBMC aims to bridge this gap by creating a global network of biomedical engineers and clinical engineering professionals dedicated to ensuring that life-saving medical devices remain functional when they are needed most. The Foundation Day event brought together biomedical engineers, healthcare professionals, clinical experts and humanitarian organisations to discuss emergency preparedness, medical technology and strategies for building resilient healthcare systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Sharma, Managing Director and Founder Chief Executive Officer of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, said resilient healthcare systems depend not only on skilled medical professionals but also on reliable medical technologies. He said UBMC brings together biomedical expertise from around the world to improve emergency preparedness and strengthen healthcare services during times of crisis. He added that the initiative reflects India’s growing contribution to global healthcare and humanitarian support.
Dr Sruthi Kishore, Chief Operating Officer of Universal BioMed Cross, said every functioning medical device can make a difference during emergencies. She noted that the organisation was created to ensure critical healthcare equipment remains operational when patients need it most and expressed satisfaction that the initiative has grown into a global movement within a year.
The programme also featured technical sessions focused on healthcare quality, patient safety and biomedical engineering. Dr Lallu Joseph, Vice President of CAHO and Quality Manager at CMC Vellore, highlighted the importance of biomedical equipment maintenance and calibration in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services. Prof Bejon Kumar Misra, Chairman of the Medical Quality Certification Institute (MQCI), delivered a session on post-market surveillance and risk management, emphasising the importance of monitoring medical technologies to improve patient safety.
With its expanding international network and growing humanitarian initiatives, UBMC aims to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide by ensuring reliable medical technology support during emergencies and improving the resilience of healthcare infrastructure across countries.
