India introduces World's first hospital-train

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India's Lifeline Express: World's first hospital-train

The Lifeline Express, the first hospital on a train, has been a saviour in providing the latest in health services. The train, also known as the Magic Train of India, is now at the Chhatrapati Shivaj Terminus where it was inaugurated on platform number 10 for three days of public viewing to showcase the hospital and also let people know of the work done by medical teams on board the Lifeline Express. The train is run by Impact India Foundation (IIF), an international initiative against avoidable disablement in coordination with Indian Railways.

"IIF will soon launch a cancer detection and control programme and Lifeline Express will be equipped with the latest machinery for early detection of breast and cervical cancer," said Zelma Lazarus, CEO, IIF, after the inauguration by Sunil Kumar Sood, General Manager, Central Railway.

Lazarus said, "This exemplary project has since 1991 provided medical services to nearly 900,000 disabled poor in remote rural locations across India. The services include surgeries for the restoration of sight, movement, hearing, correction of facial deformities and prevention and treatment of epilepsy and dental problems — all free of cost, made possible by the 'donated' services of about 150,000 medical professionals in India and abroad."

Dr Rajneesh, CEO of Lifeline Express, a specialist in public health, says, he was drawn to this hospital on the train since "I could serve my nation in a substantial manner as it reaches out to the rural poor in remote areas. What is so unusual is that the entire process of treatment is free of cost — right from the consultation, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medication, food, accommodation and follow-up."

The train itself has five coaches, including two that serve as operation theatres, where surgeries can be conducted on five patients simultaneously, a sitting room for doctors, paramedics and technicians, recovery room and a sterilisation area. Procedures performed include cataracts, middle ear surgery and plastic surgery for cleft lip and post burn contractures, said Gourh. Around 600 surgeries are conducted during every project.

With 10 projects, each lasting 25 days, the hospital on rails is busy covering little towns located in the interior, where preparations are done a month before arrival so that people can first screen themselves for any problem at the primary health centres where patients are shortlisted.

Lifeline Express depends on a large extent on sponsors, particularly local ones. From March 2-24 2014, the train was at Guna, Madhya Pradesh where the sponsor was Shreemanat Madhavrao Scindia Seva Mission.

From Mumbai, the train will proceed to Baidyanath Junction where it will stop over from May 29 to June 20 where The Salman Khan Foundation is the sponsor. Other sponsors during 2014 include Impact UK in Chhindwara in M.P., Emirates Airlines Foundation in Talgappa, Shimoga, Karnataka and the Tata Steel Rural Development Society in Odisha.
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Source:- India introduce world's first hospital train 'Lifeline Express'
Magic Train of India - India's Lifeline Express: World's first hospital-train | The Economic Times

 

[Indo-guy]

India's Lifeline Express: World's first hospital-train

The Lifeline Express, the first hospital on a train, has been a saviour in providing the latest in health services. The train, also known as the Magic Train of India, is now at the Chhatrapati Shivaj Terminus where it was inaugurated on platform number 10 for three days of public viewing to showcase the hospital and also let people know of the work done by medical teams on board the Lifeline Express. The train is run by Impact India Foundation (IIF), an international initiative against avoidable disablement in coordination with Indian Railways.

"IIF will soon launch a cancer detection and control programme and Lifeline Express will be equipped with the latest machinery for early detection of breast and cervical cancer," said Zelma Lazarus, CEO, IIF, after the inauguration by Sunil Kumar Sood, General Manager, Central Railway.

Lazarus said, "This exemplary project has since 1991 provided medical services to nearly 900,000 disabled poor in remote rural locations across India. The services include surgeries for the restoration of sight, movement, hearing, correction of facial deformities and prevention and treatment of epilepsy and dental problems — all free of cost, made possible by the 'donated' services of about 150,000 medical professionals in India and abroad."

Dr Rajneesh, CEO of Lifeline Express, a specialist in public health, says, he was drawn to this hospital on the train since "I could serve my nation in a substantial manner as it reaches out to the rural poor in remote areas. What is so unusual is that the entire process of treatment is free of cost — right from the consultation, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medication, food, accommodation and follow-up."

The train itself has five coaches, including two that serve as operation theatres, where surgeries can be conducted on five patients simultaneously, a sitting room for doctors, paramedics and technicians, recovery room and a sterilisation area. Procedures performed include cataracts, middle ear surgery and plastic surgery for cleft lip and post burn contractures, said Gourh. Around 600 surgeries are conducted during every project.

With 10 projects, each lasting 25 days, the hospital on rails is busy covering little towns located in the interior, where preparations are done a month before arrival so that people can first screen themselves for any problem at the primary health centres where patients are shortlisted.

Lifeline Express depends on a large extent on sponsors, particularly local ones. From March 2-24 2014, the train was at Guna, Madhya Pradesh where the sponsor was Shreemanat Madhavrao Scindia Seva Mission.

From Mumbai, the train will proceed to Baidyanath Junction where it will stop over from May 29 to June 20 where The Salman Khan Foundation is the sponsor. Other sponsors during 2014 include Impact UK in Chhindwara in M.P., Emirates Airlines Foundation in Talgappa, Shimoga, Karnataka and the Tata Steel Rural Development Society in Odisha.
​

Source:- India introduce world's first hospital train 'Lifeline Express'
Magic Train of India - India's Lifeline Express: World's first hospital-train | The Economic Times

India's health care system is in complete doldrums .

The measures such as this are complete waste of time and money are only meant for show -off

such cosmetic measures can never heal the deep wounds that our health care system has sustained due to chronic negligence and mis-management .

 

[saikumar]

GREAT

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India's health care system is in complete doldrums .

The measures such as this are complete waste of time and money are only meant for show -off

such cosmetic measures can never heal the deep wounds that our health care system has sustained due to chronic negligence and mis-management .

Yes indeed but Let's wait and see for earlier also such initiatives of the Indian Railways have been quite successful in fulfilling their respective objectives - the latest one being the Science Express of the Indian Railways which was hailed a huge success - something is better than nothing

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Orissa | Science Express a huge success

 

[Abingdonboy]

I'm 100% sure I've heard of such hospital trains running for some time in India.

 

[Indo-guy]

Yes indeed but Let's wait and see for earlier also such initiatives of the Indian Railways have been quite successful in fulfilling their respective objectives - the latest one being the Science Express of the Indian Railways which was hailed a huge success - something is better than nothing

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Orissa | Science Express a huge success

I am not against the good measures .

But truth is that such measures are used by ministries , governments, banal politicians as mere hogwash to fool educated illiterates .

It's a very simple exit strategy for them to get rid of real responsibilities .

Have not we seen how political parties use the welfare measures such as health camps etc to supplant their political aims at cost of public exchequer with very little in return ?

Off course it's better than money spent in corrupt scandals ...

Do you really think that Science express has educated India about science ...
Or health express will solve the health issues ....

we need to understand difference between magic and jugglery ....


I think we often feel good about such news ...and our jingoistic egos force us to do so ...

But we need to introspect about true utility and returns of any such projects ....

 

[OrionHunter]

Hell's bells! Just look at the state of these rusted oxygen cylinders! They look as though they've been dredged out from the bottom of the sea!!

 

[Arsalan]

India's health care system is in complete doldrums .

The measures such as this are complete waste of time and money are only meant for show -off

such cosmetic measures can never heal the deep wounds that our health care system has sustained due to chronic negligence and mis-management .

Agreed!! Unfortunately you are not alone!! same kind of showbazi is going around here as well
It is all about getting the priorities right, unfortunately, they are not at this moment, not here in Pakistan, and, by the look of it, not there in India as well!!

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

I am not against the good measures .

But truth is that such measures are used by ministries , governments, banal politicians as mere hogwash to fool educated illiterates .

It's a very simple exit strategy for them to get rid of real responsibilities .

Have not we seen how political parties use the welfare measures such as health camps etc to supplant their political aims at cost of public exchequer with very little in return ?

Off course it's better than money spent in corrupt scandals ...

Do you really think that Science express has educated India about science ...
Or health express will solve the health issues ....

we need to understand difference between magic and jugglery ....


I think we often feel good about such news ...and our jingoistic egos force us to do so ...

But we need to introspect about true utility and returns of any such projects ....

As far as sponsorship is concerned - till now IR has only been coordinating in this project where a majority of the financial assistance is coming from the NGO's particularly from the mpact India Foundation (IIF), an international initiative against avoidable disablement - Other sponsors during 2014 include Impact UK in Chhindwara in M.P., Emirates Airlines Foundation in Talgappa, Shimoga, Karnataka and the Tata Steel Rural Development Society in Odisha.

And moreover this initiative has medically served more than 800,000 poor in rural India, restoring sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost!

I'm 100% sure I've heard of such hospital trains running for some time in India.

Lifeline Express celebrates 22 glorious years of serving India

Mumbai, July 16, 2013. The Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train, also known as the Magic Train of India, celebrates 22 years of service to the poor and underprivileged masses of rural India. The train, which is the flagship of Impact India Foundation, in partnership with the Indian Railways, has medically served more than 800,000 poor in rural India, restoring sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost.

For the past 22 years, with the vision of the founding fathers and the active partnership of the Indian Railways, as well as the help and goodwill of thousands of donors, well-wishers and medical persons from the world over, the Lifeline Express has made a true impact on the lives of the rural people of India. With the continued support of the Indian Railways, this day serves as a pledge to continue to help make a difference to the lives of our people. The Lifeline Express has the distinction of being the first ever hospital-on-rails in the world. Brightly coloured on the outside with rainbows and flowers, the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipment to cater to the needs of the rural patients – “A Surgeon’s Dream”.

In spite of scarce resources, Impact is determined to carry on in the service of the disabled poor of rural India, and it appeals to the Government, the corporate sector and others to offer their helping hands in this time of need.

Source:- Impact India Foundation - NGO in India: An International Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement

Agreed!! Unfortunately you are not alone!! same kind of showbazi is going around here as well
It is all about getting the priorities right, unfortunately, they are not at this moment, not here in Pakistan, and, by the look of it, not there in India as well!!

I will still not call it showbazi when in turn its the 23rd year in a row medically served more than 800,000 poor in rural India, restoring sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost!

 

[Indo-guy]

I'm 100% sure I've heard of such hospital trains running for some time in India.

The era when the most railway stations lack even basic primary aid services ....

worse we do not have even basic safety features and many die unnecessarily due to train accidents ....

we are running hospital train ?

for what ?

 

[A1Kaid]

Terrible idea, there is a reason why hospitals are built on solid ground and not on wheels.

 

[Indo-guy]

As far as sponsorship is concerned - till now IR has only been coordinating in this project where a majority of the financial assistance is coming from the NGO's particularly from the mpact India Foundation (IIF), an international initiative against avoidable disablement - Other sponsors during 2014 include Impact UK in Chhindwara in M.P., Emirates Airlines Foundation in Talgappa, Shimoga, Karnataka and the Tata Steel Rural Development Society in Odisha.

And moreover this initiative has medically served more than 800,000 poor in rural India, restoring sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost!

and where does the NGOs get money for this king of show-biz ???

Do you have idea how many NGOs are there in India ?
and why they are flourishing ???

During my stint under National programme I realized how NGOs eat into government funding under show of developing public private partnership ? and how in order to get rid of governmental responsibility , government itself encourages these NGOs which grow and feed on governmental aid ...

Things are not always as what they seem.

I am not denying that many people would have had benefited from this initiative .

I am merely asking about cost-benefit ratio ?

and it it's so good ....why do we have one train with 5 bogeys for a country of billion plus population ???

 

[Abingdonboy]

The era when the most railway stations lack even basic primary aid services ....

worse we do not have even basic safety features and many die unnecessarily due to train accidents ....

we are running hospital train ?

for what ?

This isn't a hospital train as in it will act as an ambulance or act as a hospital but is for screening and minor surgeries. For areas far removed from the advanced facilitates of modern hospitals in towns and cities the train can reach them. Here in the UK we have similar mobile screening vehicles but they are based on trucks.

I understand what you're saying but you do understand things improve piece by piece and not overnight- this train is a step in the right direction and will produce tangible benefits. Would you deny those people in rural communities who will be haloed by this train the opportunity just because India's healthcare isn't all that good as a whole?

 

[Dubious]

Sounds like a good idea but not for surgery ...maybe for GP!!

 

[Indo-guy]

I will still not call it showbazi when in turn its the 23rd year in a row medically served more than 800,000 poor in rural India, restoring sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost!

It's 23'rd year ....and it has served 8,00,000 poor people in rural India in that much period ...at what cost ?

a PHC is supposed to serve population of 1,00,000 and how much does it cost to set up a PHC and run for 23 years ???

If it 's not show-baazi then why we have not escalated to cover it more villages and more area with more such trains ???