The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways has announced the “Cashless Treatment” scheme for road accident victims in India.
Objectives:
- To provide financial assistance for medical treatment of road accident victims.
- To reduce fatalities and long-term health impacts by ensuring timely and quality medical care.
Key Features:
- Cashless Treatment:
- Covers treatment costs of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a period of seven days following the accident.
- Requires the police to be informed about the accident within 24 hours.
- Support for Hit-and-Run Cases:
- An ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh will be provided to families of victims who lose their lives in hit-and-run incidents.
- Implementation:
- The National Health Authority (NHA) will oversee the scheme.
- Coordination between the police, hospitals, State Health Agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Technology-Driven Execution:
- The scheme will use an IT platform that integrates:
- The e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) application of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- The Transaction Management System (TMS) of the NHA.
- The scheme will use an IT platform that integrates:
Benefits:
- Ensures prompt medical attention, reducing fatalities and severity of injuries.
- Provides financial relief to victims and their families.
- Improves coordination between key agencies to streamline response to road accidents.
Challenges and Considerations:
- Effective awareness campaigns will be required to inform the public and stakeholders about the scheme.
- Ensuring the IT platform’s reliability and seamless integration of various systems.
- Robust monitoring to prevent misuse or delays in fund disbursement.
