Ministry Of Railways Railway 

Hospital on Wheels-Lifeline Express

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Hospital on Wheels-Lifeline Express

Projects Lifeline Express

It was a simple dream. All it wanted was that people should not, through neglect or ignorance, become disabled or crippled, and thus robbed of health, productivity and joy, and that disabled persons especially in rural India should have access to medical services wherever they be.

On 16th of July, 1991, this dream came true, when Impact India’s Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train, was launched.

The internationally acclaimed Lifeline Express has become a model for transfer of appropriate technology to other countries to set up similar projects in China, Central Africa and river boat hospitals in Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Maharashtra: Lifeline Express inaugurated at CSMT, Mumbai

The Lifeline Express, also known as “Hospital on Wheels”, was today inaugurated at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus by the Central Railway (CR) for its latest project, which involves providing medical treatment to poor patients.

A statement by CR said that the train will now move to Sahibganj in Jharkhand from Mumbai for its next project. The Indian Railways, in partnership with Impact India Foundation, had launched the Lifeline Express – the worlds first hospital on wheels – on July 16, 1991 from CSMT to provide free of cost medical care to the poor living in remote corners of the country. The seven coaches of the Lifeline Express have advanced operation theatres, a pathology lab, a mammography unit, a gynaecology examination room, a dental unit, a pharmacy, consultation cubicles and X-Ray unit, among others. Till now, The Lifeline Express has travelled across 19 states, covering 201 rural locations in 138 districts providing medical treatment to 12.32 lakh patients, including 1.46 lakh cases of surgery and nearly 2,00,000 medical professionals from around the world have rendered their services to the train.

m.economictimes.com/indu...

Here’s the most recent and authoritative overview of the iconic Lifeline Express—India’s first Hospital on Wheels and a leading example of mobile healthcare outreach:

🚆 What is the Lifeline Express?

  • Launched on 16 July 1991 as a collaboration among Indian Railways, Impact India Foundation (IIF), and the Ministry of Health, it is the world’s first hospital train, designed to bring free, advanced medical services to underserved rural regions. turn0search12turn0search9
  • Consists of a 7-coach LHB rake, featuring two fully equipped operation theatres, patient wards, sterilizing rooms, medical stores, pharmacy, pathology lab, and staff accommodation. turn0search12turn0search4turn0search11

🏥 Medical Services on Board

The Lifeline Express delivers a wide range of free treatments, including:

  • 🩺 Cataract surgeries and vision testing with distribution of corrective spectacles
  • 👂 Hearing restoration for middle ear disorders, with audiometry and hearing-aid provision
  • 🦷 Dental surgeries, cleft lip/palate correction, epilepsy clinics, and orthopaedic surgeries (e.g. clubfoot, burn contractures)
  • 🩸 Early detection and screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancers
  • Routine BP/glucose checks, immunization, nutritional assessment, health counselling, and referral for complicated cases
  • Training local medical personnel, with surgeries live-streamed in the onboard auditorium for educational purposes turn0search12turn0search3turn0search10

📍 Deployment & Impact

  • Each Lifeline Express project typically stays at a station for 21–25 days, offering outreach services within a 30 km radius turn0search6turn0search3
  • As of early 2025, 237 such projects have been completed. In April–May 2024, the train was stationed at North Lakhimpur, Assam, serving over 8,000 local beneficiaries. turn0search3
  • Over time, the Lifeline Express has served more than 12.3 lakh patients, including 1.46 lakh surgeries, across 19 states and 138 districts. turn0search0turn0search8

⚙️ Train Layout & Facilities

Coach No. Function
Power Car Staff quarters, pantry, kitchen, water purification
Medical Store Supplies and two sterilizer units
Operating Theatre 1 Three operating tables, CCTV-linked to auditorium
Operating Theatre 2 Two operating tables, advanced surgical setup
Recovery/Waiting/Auditorium Patient recovery and live-stream surgical teaching
Diagnostics & Admin Pharmacy, lab, counseling booths, dental & eye units

All areas are air-conditioned and sterile, with staff accommodations and CCTV-equipped interiors. turn0search12turn0search4

🤝 Partnerships & Sponsorship

  • Operated through a public–private partnership: Indian Railways provides infrastructure, while Impact India Foundation manages funds, volunteers, and medical staffing with corporate sponsors
  • Sponsors include entities like BHEL (Bundelkhand CSR projects) and BPCL (Cosponsored service in Assam), enabling the train’s country-wide rollout turn0search8turn0search3

✅ Why It Matters

  • Bridges the critical health infrastructure gap in remote areas lacking hospitals or specialized care
  • Operates on a zero-cost basis for patients, especially targeting marginalized and disabled populations
  • Acts as a training platform for local health professionals and a model for similar initiatives internationally—including in China and Africa
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Would you like help finding the upcoming station location (2025 schedule) for Lifeline Express, or how to access its free services or volunteer with its team?

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