Hospital train provides lifeline to rural India

Abstract

Currently, the Lifeline Express is run by the Impact India Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Railways, and the Indian health ministry, and is funded by multiple agencies and individuals, including Impact UK. Besides China, the hospital train model has been replicated in other countries such as Zimbabwe and with a river boat hospital in Bangladesh. Inside the airconditioned hospital train equipped with two state-of-the art operating theatres, an auditorium, a public announcement system, and closedcircuit cameras, The Lancet witnessed specialist doctors and surgeons doing tympanoplasty (ear drum repair) on patients from villages far and near.