In Pictures-Rail Coach Converted to COVID-19 Isolation Ward

Guwahati: As part of its preparedness, Indian Railways has converted its coaches into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients. The first prototype is ready and more could be added soon.

This will add additional beds and reduce pressure on hospitals should the infected cases explode across the country.

Such a plan can help us be well-prepared to meet any emergency, Subhanan Chanda, chief public relations officer (CPRO), NF Railway said on Sunday.

“To start with, NF Railway is converting coaches at the Coach Maintenance Depot in Kamakhya and Guwahati into isolation wards after consulting medical professionals at NF Railway Central Hospital, Maligaon. A non-AC sleeper coach is converted into an isolation wards for patients suffering from covid-19,” Subhanan Chanda said.

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The CPRO, NF Railway said that each cabin of the coach has been converted into an independent isolation room which shall accommodate one patient. There are nine such cabins in one coach.

Various modifications have been also done in each coach to convert them as isolation wards. “Middle berths have been removed from these cabins for keeping two feet bed space on the berths. Extra bottle holders and electric points are provided for medicines, IV fluids and medical equipments like oscilloscope monitor, suction apparatus, etc. A foldable stool is available under the berth for keeping the medical equipments as and when required. Air plastic curtains have been provided between two cabins for privacy and isolation,” Chanda said, adding: The side berth end panel walls of the coach near the entry/exit doors have been removed for easy access of stretcher. One of the four toilets of the coach has been converted to bathroom.

Insulated bamboo sheets have been put up on the roof and the side walls of the coach for reducing the heat transfer and temperature inside the isolation wards, the NF Railway CPRO further added.