The Lifeline Express, a seven-coach train converted into a rolling hospital has crisscrossed India for 27 years to treat people living in areas with scarce healthcare. Lifeline Express has treated about 1.2 million people since its launch in 1991 by the non-profit Impact India Foundation, said chief operating officer and doctor Rajnish Gourh. In a country that spends just one percent of its gross domestic product on healthcare, among the world's lowest, the hospital on wheels fills a critical gap. Decorated with mahogany flower garlands, the sky-blue train parked at the sleepy station in Jalore could be mistaken for a new passenger train. Its medical facilities would rival many Indian public hospitals. It employs 20 permanent paramedic staff, with most doctors volunteering from nearby medical colleges or hospitals. Typically, it spends a month in a district, performing surgery ranging from cataracts and cancer to cleft palates and orthopaedics. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "LIFELINE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: INDIA-HEALTHCARE/TRAIN 

Miss Universe Canada 2015 Paola Nunez Valdez (C) speaks next to other finalists in the competition Madison Colberg, Michelle McKay, Lauren Heinsar and Kathryn Kohut (L-R) during a news conference in Managua, Nicaragua July 6, 2015. The women are visiting Nicaragua to support the Operation Smile foundation, which works to help children who were born with cleft lips and palates. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas

Miss Universe Canada 2015 Paola Nunez Valdez (C) waves next to other finalists in the competition Michelle McKay, Lauren Heinsar and Kathryn Kohut (L-R) during a news conference in Managua, Nicaragua July 6, 2015. The women are visiting Nicaragua to support the Operation Smile foundation, which works to help children who were born with cleft lips and palates. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas 

Miss Universe Canada 2015 Paola Nunez Valdez (C) poses for pictures with children who have had cleft lip or palate operations after a news conference in Managua, Nicaragua July 6, 2015. Valdez and other Miss Universe Canada 2015 finalists are visiting Nicaragua to support the Operation Smile foundation, which works to help children who were born with cleft lips and palates. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas 

Miss Universe Canada 2015 Paola Nunez Valdez (C) and other finalists in the competition Madison Colberg, Michelle McKay, Lauren Heinsar and Kathryn Kohut (L-R) pose for pictures at a news conference in Managua, Nicaragua July 6, 2015. The women are visiting Nicaragua to support the Operation Smile foundation, which works to help children who were born with cleft lips and palates. Nunez Valde REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas

Parents wait for Operation Smile volunteers to provide medical evaluations for their children at San Felipe hospital in Tegucigalpa November 14, 2012. Operation Smile is a charity organization that aims to provide free surgery for children who have cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera (HONDURAS - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

An Operation Smile volunteer takes a picture of a baby with a cleft palate during a medical evaluation at San Felipe hospital in Tegucigalpa November 14, 2012. Operation Smile is a charity organization that aims to provide free surgery for children who have cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera (HONDURAS - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A doctor examines a cleft-lipped baby during a medical evaluation provided by Operation Smile volunteers at San Felipe hospital in Tegucigalpa November 14, 2012. Operation Smile is a charity organization that aims to provide free surgery for children who have cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera (HONDURAS - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A father holds his cleft-lipped son while waiting for a medical evaluation from Operation Smile volunteers at San Felipe hospital in Tegucigalpa November 14, 2012. Operation Smile is a charity organization that aims to provide free surgery for children who have cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera (HONDURAS - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A mother holds her cleft-lipped daughter while waiting for a medical evaluation from Operation Smile volunteers at San Felipe hospital in Tegucigalpa November 14, 2012. Operation Smile is a charity organization that aims to provide free surgery for children who have cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera (HONDURAS - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

(L to R) Miss China 2011 Luo Zilin, Miss Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2010 Mexican Ximena Navarrete, Mis Venezuela 2011 Vanessa Goncalvez and Miss Brazil 2011 Priscila Machado pose for a photograph during an event with "Operation Smile" in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCIETY) ) 

Miss Universe Brazil 2011 Priscila Machado walks with a child with a cleft lip at a hospital during the "Operation Smile" event in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aims to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

Miss Universe China 2011 Luo Zilin carries a child with a cleft lip at a hospital during the "Operation Smile" event in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aims to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

Miss Universe Venezuela 2011 Vanessa Goncalves carries a child with a cleft lip at a hospital during the "Operation Smile" event in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aims to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT) 

Miss Universe China 2011 Luo Zilin carries a child with a cleft lip at a hospital during the "Operation Smile" event in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aims to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT) 

Miss Universe 2010's Ximena Navarrete from Mexico plays with a child with a cleft lip at a hospital during the "Operation Smile" event in Sao Paulo August 25, 2011. Operation Smile aims to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT) 

A baby boy, inflicted with a cleft lip, tries to drink his milk from a syringe after his surgery during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Baby boys, inflicted with cleft lips, are carried by their mothers as they wait for their surgery during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A boy, inflicted with a cleft lip, lies on a hospital bed after surgery as his mother reads the post-operation care plan during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A patient rests on a hospital bed before her operation during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Doctors prepare to operate on a boy during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A doctor operates on a patient inflicted with a cleft lip during "Operation Restore Hope" at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City, Metro Manila April 12, 2010. Operation Restore Hope, a group of medical volunteers from Germany, New Zealand and Australia who perform surgeries for underprivileged children every year, aim to provide free surgery for about 70-80 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Patients rest as they wait for their turn during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Manila's Makati financial district October 26, 2009. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days in Makati. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A patient rests on a hospital bed before operation during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Manila's Makati financial district October 26, 2009. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days in Makati. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Doctors operate during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Manila's Makati financial district October 26, 2009. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days in Makati. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A medical attendant prepares a boy for surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Manila's Makati financial district October 26, 2009. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days in Makati. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A boy cries as he recuperates after surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Manila's Makati financial district October 26, 2009. Operation Smile aim to provide free surgery for about a hundred children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities over a period of five days in Makati. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES HEALTH IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY) 

Tran Van Kha waits for reconstructive surgery for his cleft lip provided by the Operation Smiles Charity in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city June 19, 2008. Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain, is visiting Vietnam as part of her Asian tour to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to promote the Virginia-based charity, a not-for-profit non-governmental organization which provides reconstructive surgery for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate around the world. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) 

Tran Van Kha sits with his mother as he waits for reconstructive surgery for his cleft lip provided by the Operation Smiles Charity in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city June 19, 2008. Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain, is visiting Vietnam as part of her Asian tour to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to promote the Virginia-based charity, a not-for-profit non-governmental organization which provides reconstructive surgery for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate around the world. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) 

A baby is held in her mother's arms as she waits in the corridor of a hospital for reconstructive surgery for her cleft lip provided by the Operation Smiles Charity in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city June 19, 2008. Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain, is visiting Vietnam as part of her Asian tour to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to promote the Virginia-based charity, a not-for-profit non-governmental organization which provides reconstructive surgery for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate around the world. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) 

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain, visits a hospital in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city, June 19, 2008, as part of her Asian tour to promote the Operations Smile Charity. McCain will be visiting Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to promote the Virginia-based charity, a not-for-profit non-governmental organization which provides reconstructive surgery for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate around the world. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) 

Parents attend to their children after surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Doctors prepare to operate on Joylyn Verano, a girl inflicted with cleft lips, before surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

A child inflicted with cleft lips plays with dolls before surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Justin Noynay has his upper lips covered with bandage after surgery during the "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

A child inflicted with cleft lips is seen in the window of a recovery room after surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Children play in a waiting room before surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

A volunteer takes a picture of a patient inflicted with cleft lips before surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Jahmil Bautista, a child inflicted with cleft lips, lies on a hospital bed after surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Joylyn Verano, a child inflicted with cleft lips, lies on a hospital bed before surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

A doctor carries a patient inflicted with cleft lips after a free surgery during "Operation Smile" at a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to provide free surgery on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines.
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

Children inflicted with facial deformities wait to be screened for free surgery during the "Operation Smile" outside a hospital in Makati financial district in Manila November 6, 2007. Operation Smile is projected to operate on about 500 children inflicted with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in the Philippines.
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) 

A child with a cleft palate receives surgery by volunteer doctors of the "International Smile Activity" organization at a children's hospital in Hefei, Anhui province April 30, 2007. REUTERS/Jianan Yu (CHINA) 

A volunteer doctor of the organization "International Smile Activity", examines a child with a cleft palate at a children's hospital in Hefei, Anhui province April 29, 2007. REUTERS/Jianan Yu (CHINA) 

A doctor performs corrective surgery on a child with a cleft palate at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A doctor performs corrective surgery on a child with a cleft palate at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A doctor (L) performs corrective surgery on a child with a cleft palate at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A child with a cleft palate waits inside a surgery room at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A mother carries her son, who has a cleft palate, while standing beside a child with a bandaged lip, who has been operated on, at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A father carries his son, who has a cleft palate, while waiting in the surgery room at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A doctor performs corrective surgery on a child with a cleft palate at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A child with a cleft palate cries while waiting outside the surgery room at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

A doctor performs corrective surgery on a child with a cleft palate at the St. Cabrini medical center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas city, south of Manila, November 22, 2006. A team of doctors from "Operation Smile" offered their services for free to put the smile back on the lips of children with congenital upper lip abnormality. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES) 

Amanda Hays, an American child life specialist from Texas, (R) holds an Iraqi child with cleft lip before he is taken into the operation room in a Jordanian hospital in Amman July 20, 2005. Dozens of Iraqi children arrived in Amman with their families this week to undergo surgeries by Operation Smile, an international NGO that tours several countries and operates on children with birth defects such as cleft palates and lips. 

Mustafa an Iraqi child with cleft palate cries before he is taken into the operation room in a Jordanian hospital in Amman. Mustafa an Iraqi child with cleft palate cries before he is taken into the operation room in a Jordanian hospital in Amman July 20, 2005. Dozens of Iraqi children arrived in Amman with their families this week to undergo surgeries by Operation Smile, an international NGO that tours several countries and operates on children with birth defects such as cleft palates and lips. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji 

Amanda Hays, an American child life specialist from Texas, (R) holds an Iraqi child with cleft lip before he is taken into the operation room in a Jordanian hospital in Amman July 20, 2005. Dozens of Iraqi children arrived in Amman with their families this week to undergo surgeries by Operation Smile, an international NGO that tours several countries and operates on children with birth defects such as cleft palates and lips.REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/LA 

Amanda Hays, an American child life specialist from Texas, (R) holds an Iraqi child with cleft lip before he is taken into the operation room in a Jordanian hospital in Amman July 20, 2005. Dozens of Iraqi children arrived in Amman with their families this week to undergo surgeries by Operation Smile, an international NGO that tours several countries and operates on children with birth defects such as cleft palates and lips.REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/LA 

Former United States President George Bush visits children awaiting surgery to correct cleft palates in a Beijing hospital March 2. Bush is visiting China to endorse the Smile Train, an international charity dedicated to helping children born with cleft palates.The organisation announced today it will donate a $20 million gift to fund a series of Sino-U.S. initiatives to help eradicate the problem of cleft palates, and will support free physician training, free surgery for children and research to find a cure for clefts, which affects millions of children worldwide. 

Wei Yudong, who has undergone surgery to correct a cleft patale smiles as she meets former United States President George Bush Beijing March 2. Bush is visiting China to endorse the Smile Train, an international charity dedicated to helping children born with cleft palates. The organisation announced today it will donate a $20 million gift to fund a series of Sino-U.S. initiatives to help eradicate the problem of cleft palates, and will support free physician training, free surgery for children and research to find a cure for clefts, which affects millions of children worldwide.

NB/TAN 

A child with a cleft palate awaits surgery donated by the Smile Train in a Beijing hospital March 2. The Smile Train is an international charity dedicated to helping children born with cleft palates. The organisation announced today it will donate a $20 million gift to fund a series of Sino-U.S. initiatives to help eradicate the problem of cleft palates, and will support free physician training, free surgery for children and research to fild a cure for clefts, which affects millions of children worldwide.

NB/TAN