Central Railway to set up emergency medical rooms at 43 stations

Central Railway has decided to expand its medical facilities so that injured passengers can get immediate treatment in case of an accident during a local train journey. Emergency medical rooms will now be opened at 43 stations on Mumbai's suburban route. The tender process for this has begun, and once it is complete, medical rooms at these stations will start functioning.

Central Railway's Mumbai suburban section currently has 12 emergency medical rooms already running. Of these, the medical rooms at Kalyan, Byculla and Vashi are the responsibility of the medical department, and all three are managed by an organisation called Ani Foundation, Thane. The medical rooms at Karjat, Kurla, Titwala, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Ghatkopar, Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Dombivli come under the commercial department.

It is in view of the growing crowds on Mumbai's local trains that the railway has planned to start this facility at 43 more stations. Passengers who suffer accidents at these medical rooms will first be given first aid, and if needed, sent for further treatment to a hospital. This will allow treatment to begin immediately after an accident.

The process related to drug licences for the medical rooms at Chembur and Mankhurd is underway. The medical room at Khopoli will be built by the railway after the monsoon season ends. Once this work is complete, medical rooms will start at these three stations as well.

The Mumbai High Court had, in 2009, directed that emergency medical rooms be started at railway stations so that injured passengers could get immediate treatment. Western Railway has a total of 32 stations between Churchgate and Virar, of which 22 already have medical rooms functioning. Central Railway has now begun the process of extending this facility to more stations through 43 new medical rooms.

Mumbai's local trains are very crowded during the morning and evening hours. During such travel, there is a risk of dizziness, falls, injuries or other medical problems. In such cases, if medical facilities are available at the station itself, passengers will find it easier to get immediate help. This facility is expected to benefit stations that see particularly heavy crowds.