In line with Indian Railways, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is also mulling to convert coaches into COVID-19 isolation wards.
These coaches turned isolation wards will be set up at the Coach Maintenance Depot in Kamakhya and Guwahati.
In a statement, NFR chief public relations officer, “To start with, N F Railway is converting coaches at the Coach Maintenance Depot in Kamakhya and Guwahati into isolation wards after consulting medical professionals at N F Railway Central Hospital, Maligaon.”
Also read: Railways to offer coaches and cabins as isolation wards for COVID-19 patients
“A non-AC sleeper coach is converted into an isolation wards for patients suffering from Covid-19. Each cabin of coach has been converted into an independent isolation ward which shall accommodate one patient. There are nine such cabins in one coach,” the statement added.
“Middle berths have been removed from these cabins for keeping two feet bed space on the berths,” it read.
“Extra bottle holders and electric points are provided for medicines, IV Fluids and medical equipment like oscilloscope monitor, suction apparatus, etc,” the statement also stated.
“A foldable stool is available under the berth for keeping the medical equipment as and when required. Air Plastic curtains have been provided between two cabins for privacy and isolation,” it further stated.
The CPRO also added the side berth end-panel walls of the coach near the entry/exit doors have been removed for easy access for stretchers.
“One of the four toilets of the coach has been converted to bathroom with facility for shower, bucket and mug. Insulated bamboo sheets put up on the roof and the side walls of the coach for reducing the heat transfer and temperature inside the isolation wards,” the CPRO mentioned in the statement.
Earlier, the proposal to offer the empty coaches and cabins to be used as ICUs for such patients was discussed at a meeting of railway minister with chairman Railway Board V K Yadav, general managers of all zones and divisional Railway managers through video conferencing on March 25 last.