Image of IMPACT's Lifeline Express Hospital Train

IMPACT India’s Lifeline Express Hospital Train

IMPACT India’s Lifeline Express Hospital Train comprises a fully equipped operating theatre, diagnostic centre and post-operative ward, teaching facilities, laboratory and workshop. Using the vast rail network, it is shunted into rural sidings for a few weeks at a time where it becomes the nucleus of a comprehensive attack on causes of disability, involving the whole community. Effective, on-the-spot treatment is offered free of charge, together with health education and immunisation, benefiting thousands of people each year. For further information, please see IMPACT India’s website.

The original Lifeline Express, which had travelled the rail network since 1991, had to be de-commissioned due to wear and tear and five brand new carriages gifted by the Indian Ministry of Railways were renovated and equipped enabling this special train to be re-launched in August 2007.

The individual IMPACT

Seven year-old Ramal had never seen a train before, let alone a doctor – he thought they were only for rich people! Now he can see clearly once again thanks to surgery on board and is able to keep up in class.

The Lifeline Express has been replicated in China as a gift from the people of Hong Kong and there are now three of these special trains travelling the rails there.

 

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