Indian Railways converts coaches into isolation wards

The Indian Railways has set up a COVID-19 isolation ward prototype by converting train coaches.

The national service-provider said each railway zones will start setting up similar rakes with 10 coaches in a few days. Each modified coach will be able to accommodate 10 patients.

"Then we will serve the hinterlands or whichever region that needs the coaches," Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar said.

For medical equipment to be plugged in, the railways has provided 220-volt electrical points and external power supply options.

The four toilets in each coach have been converted into two bathrooms. Each bathroom will have a hand shower, a bucket and a mug.

The coaches will will also have facilities such as consultation rooms, medical stores, ICUs and pantry.

The innovation is vital as the World Health Organization had estimated that India had only 0.7 beds per 1,000 people based on the country's 2011 Census.

As on Saturday (28), India registered 863 COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths.