The lack of access to health treatment in outlying rural areas in India and excessive medical costs has left rural people helpless. To bridge the gap, Impact India foundation launched the Lifeline Express – the world’s first train hospital on July 16, 1991. Till now it has conducted 30 free surgeries on a daily basis.

The Lifeline Express was introduced to meet two gaps: giving medical treatment in the remotest villages and providing lower-income people with free treatment. The train runs all over India, reaching the remotest places and halting in one place for a month before proceeding.

The Lifeline Express treats a range of ailments, including plastic surgical corrections for cleft lips, cataract surgery, counseling, immunization, nutritional assessments, cancer and more. The train is equipped with two surgical theaters, two recovery rooms, a sterilization area, power generators, a pantry car, storage, and accommodation for its 20 clinicians. 

“We also educate local doctors and always have a local doctor present during surgery so they can do follow-ups later on," said Mehak Sikka, Medical Officer.

Till now the train hospital has managed to conduct 1,30,000 operations at 191 stops, said Anil Darse, deputy project director of the Lifeline Express.

Soon similar trains are expected to be launched, which will boost India's move towards universal healthcare coverage.