Bullet train transforms into functioning hospital

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said on Friday that it has recently organized a medical service maneuver by transforming a high-speed train into a mobile hospital for the first time, where a number of the wounded have been treated and transported.

The bullet train has various functional areas including a reception, disposal rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms. The functioning hospital has some working groups on medical and logistics support set in different coaches, according to the release from the Command.

"The wounded would be assessed and sent to corresponding coaches based on their injury conditions. The eight-carriage medical train are capable of receiving more than 100 wounded personnel with various injury conditions," the release said.

The high-speed train has been equipped with small, integrated and portable medical equipment without changing the interior structure of the carriages, since a high weight balance is essential due to the train's faster moving speed compared to previous medical trains. In addition, worktops that can be elevated and lowered are also utilized to make treatment easier on the moving train, according to a video report by China Central Television.

Huang Zhi, head of medical train team at the General Hospital of the Eastern Theater Command, said the newly transformed bullet train is a "successful exploration of rapidly transporting large quantities of wounded personnel for long distances", which can improve the treatment efficiency and lower the disability and fatality rate.

"For the next phase, we hope to upgrade the train to meet the demands of the actual combat, accelerate treatment chain and to enhance support capabilities," he said in the video report.