Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: December 6, 2016

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

The Lifeline Express to get two more coaches for cancer treatment

The world’s first hospital train, Lifeline Express is all set to get two additional coaches for cancer treatment. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Railways on December 5, 2016.

These additions will add more strength to the existing life-saving services present on the five-coach train, as it is already equipped to conduct surgeries for sight, hearing, clefts, burns, broken bones and treatment of epilepsy and dental issues.

About the Lifeline Express

• Funded by Impact UK, the project was developed by the Indian Railways and Union health Ministry.
• It also receives funding from international charitable sources, Indian corporate houses, and individuals.
• The train became fully functional on 16 July 1991.
• The main objective behind the service was to provide immediate medical aid to disabled adults and children living in remote and otherwise inaccessible areas of India, where advanced medical services are not available.
• It has by far treated over one million disabled poor Indians living in the rural areas, completely free of cost.
• The train’s staff comprises around 200,000 medical professionals from across the world, all of whom have donated their services for the cause.
• The train has taken up almost 177 projects across the country and conducted more than one lakh surgeries.
• The service’s 178th project will start at Satna, Madhya Pradesh from 15 December 2016 and will go on until 5 January 2017.

Union Government launches Stanpan Suraksha mobile app to promote breastfeeding

The Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on December 5, 2016, launched the ‘Stanpan Suraksha’ mobile application to promote breastfeeding and keep a check on inapt promotion of baby food items in the country.

Highlights of Stanpan Suraksha app

• It is first-of-its-kind app that aims to promote breastfeeding and baby food promotion reporting mechanism.
• If anyone comes across any inapt promotion of baby food, he or she just has to click a photograph of inappropriate baby food promotion and send it to BPNI.
• It also has a city-wise database of trained breastfeeding counsellor to educate and provide assistance to mothers during antenatal and postnatal period.
• Moreover, it provides a sign up option for mothers who wish to become a breastfeeding counsellor.
• It will also be able to gather incremental evidence on promotion of baby foods from remote locations as well.