Coronavirus: How Railways plans to use train coaches as isolation-wards
With all passenger trains suspended amid a 21-day nationwide lockdown, the Indian Railways has converted a train coach into a prototype isolation ward in New Delhi for patients of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). If the prototype gets approved, the plan will be scaled up to accommodate the increasing number of COVID-19 patients, the Indian Railways said. Here are more details.
Sleeper coach at Delhi coaching depot converted into isolation ward
North Central Railway General Manager Rajiv Chaudhary told IANS that a sleeper train coach at the coaching depot in New Delhi has been converted into an isolation ward after consulting medical professionals. If the plan gets approved, every railways zone will convert 10 coaches into isolation wards weekly. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, India only has 0.7 beds per 1,000 people.
Here's how the train coach was converted
To convert the coaches into isolation wards, the middle berth and ladders were removed. Out of the four toilets in a coach, two have been converted into bathrooms with proper flooring. For medical equipment, 220-volt electrical points have been supplied in each compartment, segregated with air curtains, PTI reported. Provisions for 415-volt external supply have been made. Each coach would have 10 isolation wards.
3 berths in front of 'patient berth' also removed
Coaches to also have consultation rooms, medical stores, ICUs etc.
The coaches will reportedly also have facilities for consultation rooms, medical stores, ICUs and pantry. Other railway zones are also experimenting to convert non-AC coaches into isolation wards, including an ICF non-AC coach in Kamakhya, Guwahati.
However, there are some cons to such isolation wards
Although the idea of mobile isolation wards that can travel to the hinterlands seems appealing, officials speaking to The Hindu-Business Line addressed certain challenges. If the toilets empty out of railway tracks, cleaning the tracks regularly would be a hassle. If bio-toilets are used, they could start stinking with frequent use. More importantly, officials stressed on the availability of doctors and paramedic staff.
Railways has other plans to tackle COVID-19
According to IANS, all Railway divisions have identified wards/buildings for establishing COVID-19 isolation wards. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) plans to serve meals across the country and in hospitals if required. The Railways are ready to create three lakh patient care beds if required. South Central Railway has produced face masks, overalls, cots, and side-stools at its workshops and coaching depots.
North Central Railway training paramedics in COVID-19 related procedures
Separately, Chaudhary also told IANS, "North Central Railways is also imparting training to its paramedical staff for COVID-19 related procedures, especially ventilators. Videos posted on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's website are being used to train staff."
COVID-19 originated in China, spread to 170+ countries
COVID-19 first emerged in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. It is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The disease has spread to roughly 170 countries, leaving 27,000 dead and 6 lakh infected. According to India's Health Ministry, as of Saturday morning, there are 873 confirmed cases in India, including 19 deaths and 775 active cases.
