Hospital on Wheels to roll into city in May

BHOPAL: Lifeline Express, a hospital on wheels, will pull into the city on May 9 to render free healthcare service to patients. The mobile hospital, jointly created by Indian Railways, NGO Impact India is scheduled to reach Habibganj railway station and remain there till May 30.
Lifeline Express has five air-conditioned coaches with sophisticated surgical and medical facilities.A team of four dozen medical staff, including doctors would provide diagnostic, medical and surgical treatment to patients suffering from cleft lips, dental deformities, deafness, polio and cataracts, sources said. The Express, which arrives in Bhopal for first time is expected to render free service to some 5,000 patients.
Speaking to TOI, Lifeline Express CEO Rajnesh Gaur said, “We have had preliminary meetings with government officials and medical colleges in Bhopal. Free service in Lifeline Express is open to all and for late comers screening will be held the day train arrives in Bhopal.” Lifeline Express started offering service in India since 1991 and is considered world’s first hospital on a train. After initial screening, surgical interventions will be performed from May 10 onwards. Four private medical colleges, JK Hospital, RKDF, Chirayu, Peoples hospital and district civil hospital, have been identified for preliminary screening of patients.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) screened 1,373 employees to avail free healthcare facilities in hospital on wheels on Monday. Health check-up camp for BMC employees was organized in partnership with private hospitals at Idgah Hills.
BMC additional commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, “Lifeline Express is arriving considering a huge demand for free of cost medical care, civic body is identifying its employees and their relatives to avail service in Lifeline Express.” Department of social justice is also carrying out screening of poor patients across slums in state capital.