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The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways has launched a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims.

About the Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims

It provides free medical treatment for victims of road accidents across India. This scheme aims to ensure that victims receive immediate medical attention without the burden of payment, particularly during the critical “golden hour” after an accident.

How does the scheme work?

• Treatment Costs: The government will bear the treatment costs if the police are informed about the accident within 24 hours.
• Health Coverage: Victims can receive health benefits for trauma and polytrauma cases at hospitals accredited under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Coverage can reach up to ₹1.5 lakh per incident, with the treatment duration limited to seven days.

What are the eligibility criteria for the scheme?

The scheme applies to all motor vehicle-related road accidents. Eligible victims can access the program at any hospital accredited under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

What role does the National Health Authority (NHA) play?

The NHA will work in collaboration with police, hospitals, and state health authorities to implement the scheme.

Victims can access the scheme through an IT platform integrating the e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) application and NHA’s Transaction Management System.

For fatal hit-and-run accidents, the families of victims will be compensated with ₹2 lakhs.

What are the future developments of the scheme?

The scheme was first piloted in March 2024, in Chandigarh. Following its success, it was expanded to Assam, Punjab, Haryana, and Puducherry. The scheme is now extended nationwide.

The government plans to introduce updates to the scheme by March 2025 to enhance emergency medical responses and provide better support for accident victims.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is working on improving road safety with new initiatives, such as the Scheme for Good Samaritan.

What is the Scheme for Good Samaritans?

Under this scheme, individuals who help accident victims during the golden hour and rush them to a hospital or trauma center will receive a ₹5,000 reward. This initiative aims to encourage people to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations.

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Source: 

Indian Express