Modi likely to launch free medical care for road crash victims scheme this month

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi is likely to launch the free medical care for road crash victims scheme — PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victims Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) this month.

The pilot of the scheme, currently known as ‘Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims’, was implemented across six states and UTs — Chandigarh, Assam, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Puducherry. The scheme assures free treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a maximum of seven days.

The road transport ministry had notified the scheme in May last year, and in June, the guidelines were notified. TOI has learnt that the ministry has completed the amalgamation of existing technology assets which digitally capture details of every road crash and the transaction management system of the National Health Authority used by hospitals for treatment, claim submission and processing of payments.

The reimbursement to hospitals is done through Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) which is funded through contributions from general insurance companies for cases where the offending vehicle is insured and through budgetary support for other-than-insured cases.

The scheme specifies that every road accident victim will be provided stabilisation treatment for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases at designated hospitals, subject to police response. The statutory scheme will take precedence over any other Central or state level schemes.

The scheme focuses on strengthening emergency medical response during the golden hour — one hour following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care. To support the time bound transfer of the victim from the accident spot to the nearest hospital, convergence with 112 (Emergency Response Support System) has been undertaken which can help in prompt dispatch of nearest available ambulance as well as early intimation to jurisdictional police officials about the occurrence of the road accident. The scheme also provides for SMS alerts to District Police officials and District Collectors for early and time bound action.

All hospitals, whether designated or not, are required to provide stabilisation treatment to victims.

As per an estimate of the Law Commission, 50% lives can be saved in road crashes by providing quick medical help. In 2024, around 1.8 lakh people lost lives in road crashes.