Lifeline Express

The world's first hospital on a train, the brand new 'Lifeline Express', will be inaugurated today.The four-coach train brings the benefits of modern medicine free-of-cost to millions of poor villagers in rural India.The 'Lifeline Express' offers on-the-spot diagnostic, medical and advanced surgical treatment for preventive and curative interventions for the poor. It will use the huge railway network of 63,500 km.The train was first launched on July 16, 1991 by Impact India Foundation in collaboration with Indian Railway. It originally comprised four old rail coaches released by the Railways.The coaches were redesigned and restored by engineering and medical consultants and refurnished into a fully functional, air-conditioned hospital.It is equipped with all modern medical and surgical facilities, including training facilities for up to 50 medical personnel.The four new state of the art coaches have been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.Equipped with three operation tables, the train has modern surgical equipment and accessories, kitchen, restrooms, sterilisation equipment, recovery room for the patients, audiometry/ophthalmic room and X-Ray room.it also has an auditorium and training facilities for 50 medical personnel. Two powerful generators for round the clock power supply have been installed in the train.The project is funded by Impact UK, charitable bodies, Indian corporate houses and individuals.About 75,000 surgeons and medical personnel from India and abroad, together with a large number of volunteers, have so far volunteered their services for it.