Maligaon, July 17: Considering the possibility of increase in cases of COVID-19, a decision was taken by Ministry of Railways in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to utilize Railway coaches as COVID Care Centres. These railway coaches are to be used for the cases suspected and confirmed, and categorized as very mild or mild.
As per guidelines issued by MoHFW, Railways willmake allocation of these coaches to the Stateand UTs once State or UTs send their requirement through their nodal officers to the nodal officers of Railways.
The N.F.Railway has placed 20 such COVID CARE coaches in platform no 8 of Katihar railway stationafter receiving request from StateGovt of Bihar in this regard. These coaches shall be used as isolation or quarantine facilities by the State Government.
Each COVID care coaches have been provided with Oxygen cylinder, fire extinguishers, plastic curtains, mosquito nets, dustbins, buckets, mug, plastic tool, liquid soap dispenser, health faucet, green grass mat and bed sheets by Railways.
Patients kept in these COVID Care Centres will be observed for their symptoms and clinical conditions. In case of change of the symptoms and clinical conditions, suitable reference shall be made to the designated COVID Care Centre and hospital for further necessary action. The State and UT Government shall make suitable ambulance arrangement for shifting the patient.
The respective State and District will have to do necessary waste disposal arrangements following the mechanism being followed by hospitals in the respective State and District.
Necessary watering of coaches, provision of proper electricity, and suitable security to coaches, patients and staff will be arranged by the Railways.
In NFR 315 Covid Care Coaches have been made and kept ready for placement on request of State Governments at identified stations where watering and charging facilities are available.
