Tata Steel concludes Lifeline Express — A unique effort in health services
March 20, 2005

The seventh Lifeline Express Project by Tata Steel, which was inaugurated at Jajpur Road Railway Station Siding on February 21, 2005 by the chief minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik has been concluded today. The organisation of the Lifeline Express in Orissa by Tata Steel reiterates the century of partnership towards progress between the duo.

Debasis Nayak, minister for information and public relations and sports and youth affairs, graced the concluding ceremony of the Lifeline Express. While talking on this occasion, Mr Nayak praised the contribution of Tata Steel in bringing the Lifeline Express to the remote villages of Orissa and providing health services to the underprivileged section of the society. He also acknowledged the role of the company and said that Tata Steel is a leader in social and philanthropic work.

The health services made available during this month long project were orthopaedics, plastic surgery, eye and ear cure treatment; the later will continue till March 22, 2005. Tata Steel’s effort towards spreading the message, mobilising the patients and facilitating the operations is spearheaded by the Tata Steel Rural Development Society.

During the Orthopaedics Camp (February 19 to 28, 2005), nearly 413 patients were screened. Out of which 27 cases were operated and another 57 patients were given aids and appliances. In plastic surgery camp, (March 1 to 8, 2005), 359 patients were screened in the OPD and 155 patients were operated. Besides, 100 cases, under operation "Muskan" were given appointments at Tata Main Hospital at Jamshedpur at company’s expenses. The Eye Camp screened a total case of 2,248, out of which the operated cases were 425 (including elderly males and females). In eye surgery, quality was given more preference over quantity. Most of the surgeries were done by the latest technique of small incision cataract microsurgery.

After the function the minister distributed aids and appliances to the orthopaedics patients and hearing aids to the hearing impaired.

The current Lifeline Express project is the seventh initiative in India and third in Orissa by Tata Steel after the projects at Chatrapur, Ganjam in 1997 and at Daitary Railway Siding, Bamnipal in 1998 where we reached out to over 6000 patients with various forms of operable disabilities.

Lifeline Express is the world’s first hospital on rails that offers on the spot diagnostic, medical and surgical interventions to the disabled, free of cost. This hospital on rails, shares miracles of modern medicine with the villagers of India, a large majority of whom are unable to gain access to medical practitioners. The hospital has four coaches, fully equipped and air-conditioned for pre and post-operative care.

Sanjay Patnaik, chief resident executive, Tata Steel, Orissa, delivered the welcome address at the function. N D Rao, general manager (operations), Tata Steel and Dr P C Mohapatra, head, social services and family initiatives division, Tata Steel, were also present. The later proposed the vote of thanks.