After 17 years of journey, hospital on train halts at Kazipet 

After 17 years of journey, hospital on train halts at Kazipet 
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Highlights

Rolled through 18 States covering a distance of more than 2 lakh kilometres, the Lifeline Express, world’s first hospital on train, which has medically served over a million rural folk, is back after nearly 17 years, and parked at Kazipet Junction.

Warangal: Rolled through 18 States covering a distance of more than 2 lakh kilometres, the Lifeline Express, world’s first hospital on train, which has medically served over a million rural folk, is back after nearly 17 years, and parked at Kazipet Junction. Thanks to Impact India Foundation (IIF) which launched the hospital on train way back in 1991 to bring healthcare to remotest parts of the country.

The first-of-its-kind train in the world chugged out of Mumbai on July 16, 1991 on its maiden journey. To start with, the facility was launched with three wooden coaches. In 2007, two more coaches were added. Now it has seven coaches with state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cancer and family health services providing on-the-spot diagnostic medical and surgical treatment for restoration of sight, hearing, movement, correction of clefts and treatment for epilepsy and dental problems.

Speaking to The Hans India, Project Manager Vaibhav Gupta said, “We have an excellent five-member team of doctors specialised in the early detection of breast, cervical and oral cancer. There is a huge difference as far as the medical care facilities are concerned compared to last time. We now provide curative services to people suffering from 10 different kinds of maladies.” It may be mentioned here that Lifeline Express had been to Kazipet Railway Station in 1999 and the current one is 179th edition of the project.

The range of surgeries includes eye (cataract), cleft lip, orthopaedic/polio corrective and ear. This apart, the hospital on train will also provide family health services (awareness and counselling) besides organising stroke prevention programme. Meanwhile, the preliminary screening of the patients has begun after the Warangal Urban district collector Amrapali Kata and Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu inaugurated the facility at the Kazipet Railway Hospital on Thursday. The patients will be provided with medicines free of cost.

Eyes will be tested from January 12 to 15 at government hospital and surgeries will be conducted from January 13 to 18. Cleft lips will be screened on January 16 & 17 and surgeries will be conducted on January 17 and 18. Orthopaedic problems will be examined on January 19 and 20 and surgeries from 20 to 22. Ear problems will be examined from January 23 to 25 and surgeries from 24 to 29. Oral, breast and cervical cancer screenings will be done on January 13 to 21. The train is equipped with a generator, two operation theatres, postoperative care unit, rest room for doctors etc.

By Adepu Mahender

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