In a humanitarian gesture, the Railways has decided to facilitate use of its hospitals and health infrastructure for general people. 

The decision was taken at a virtual meeting chaired by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday. Vaishnaw said, “In view of rising Covid cases, I have asked senior officials of various Railway zones and divisions to facilitate use of Railway hospitals and health infrastructure for general public.” 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board, Board member and senior officials of the Ministry of Railways along with General Managers and Divisional Railway Managers of all zonal Railways joined the meeting.

At the meeting, the minister took stock of the Railway hospital infrastructure, paediatric ward functioning and status of vaccination of ward of Railways staff, including provisioning of booster dose to frontline workers of Railways. He also enquired about availability of medicines, status of oxygen supply, zeolite stock, medical support including functioning of ventilators, liquid medical oxygen tanks and other equipment that are critical for Covid treatment.

He said 78 oxygen plants had already been commissioned while 17 were on the verge of completion.

Vaishnaw stressed on the need of increasing awareness on masking up, maintaining hygiene and other precautionary measures through announcements at Railway stations. He asked the officials to disallow entry of people without mask in Railway station premises.
He also reviewed plans for running of special trains in case of emergency and sudden surge in number of passengers and migrants at Railway stations.