New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The Indian Railways on Thursday added two more coaches to the 'Lifeline Express' for the detection and control of oral, breast and cervical cancer, officials said.
The two additional coaches were added during a ceremony held here which was attended by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Union Health Minister J.P Nadda.
Nadda said that this initiative will help in reaching out to rural areas which have insufficient medical facilities, or areas hit by natural disasters.
"I thank Indian Railways for this approach as we have to provide health services wherever possible, especially in the inaccessible places where the train can go," Nadda elaborated.
Earlier the 'Lifeline Express' had five coaches.
The 'Lifeline Express' which started its journey in 1991 has so far treated over one million disabled poor in rural India, all free of cost, made possible with the 'donated' services of over 200,000 medical professionals from around the world.
According to the railways, the 'Lifeline Express' will have three fully equipped operation theatres for free-of-cost services for the rural poor across India.
Till date the 'Lifeline Express' has taken up projects at 177 places across India.
It has performed more than one lakh surgeries for restoration of mobility, vision, hearing and correction of facial deformities.
The 'Lifeline Express' is also popularly known as the 'Magic Train of India'.
