Indian Railways has decided to provide medical facilities in passenger carrying trains and also at stations across the country, Rajya Sabha was told.
The need and extent of providing medical facilities at railway stations and in trains was examined by the Supreme Court.
In compliance with the orders, a committee of experts was constituted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
The committee has recommended for provision of medical boxes at all railway stations and in passenger carrying trains, mandatory first aid training for all on board and station staff along with provision of medical facilities through doctors available on-board (as passenger) or at the nearest station.
As recommended by a committee of experts, the railways has given instructions to the concerned directorate to provide a medical box containing life-saving medicines, equipment, oxygen cylinder, etc, at all railway stations and passenger carrying trains.
Train ticket examiner, train guards/superintendents, station master and other front staff of the railways are being trained in rendering first aid. Regular refresher courses are also being conducted for such staff.
List of near-by hospitals and doctors along with their contact numbers is available at all railway stations. Ambulance services of the railways, state government/private hospitals and ambulance service providers are utilised to transport the injured/sick passengers to the hospitals/doctor’s clinics.