Care on wheels

Barkakana, Nov. 17: After serving the people of Barkakana for 22 days, Lifeline Express rolled out of Ramgarh district today.

During the time, doctors aboard the express treated 4,128 patients from rural areas including 265 orthopaedic cases, 41 cleft lip cases, 844 dental ailments, 1,289 ENT cases and 1,689 eye problems, said vice-president of Tata Steel Partho Sengupta.

Tata Steel had sponsored the hospital on wheels under its corporate social responsibility programme.

Savita Kumari (21) had given up hope of walking on her feet but for Lifelife Express. The Railway Colony resident was taken to the mobile hospital by her brother and after the surgery it seems her hope will be realised.

“Savita is a student of BA Part II at Ramgarh College. She underwent a surgery here and we believe she will be able to walk now,” doctor of the express, G. Sharma, said.

Jubaida Khatoo, an octogenarian from Hehal village of Barkakana, was also one of the beneficiaries. She got a specialised eye treatment and now she has regained her eyesight. “The doctors gave me back my vision. Now I can see my grandchildren grow before my eyes,” she said.

Col R.S. Vishwen, the chief executive of Lifeline Express, said ever since its inception in 1991, Lifeline Express had examined over 5 lakh patients and conducted over 85,000 surgeries. Each project costs Rs 40 lakh, he added.

It was 15th expedition for the Tata Steel sponsored venture. The purpose of the express is to serve as a vital link between modern medicine and rural folks.

While Tata Steel provides medical services, infrastructure is owned by Impact India, an international NGO which works for the disabled. Impact India mooted the idea of a hospital on wheels following a suggestion by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Sir John Wilson, the founder of Impact International.

Lifeline Express is a partnership between Tata Steel, Impact India and Indian Railways. Indian Railways maintains the coaches.