Whalesbook
Government Rolls Out Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Crash Victims
New Delhi – Road crash victims across India will soon benefit from a nationwide cashless medical treatment scheme, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to launch the initiative, which promises up to ₹1.5 lakh in cashless medical care for victims for a minimum of seven days.
Pilot Project Success Fuels National Rollout
The scheme's impending national launch follows a successful pilot phase conducted across several states, including Assam, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Puducherry, and Uttar Pradesh. Gadkari indicated that the program is designed to cover accidents occurring anywhere in the country, not just on national highways.
Rewarding Good Samaritans
A unique aspect of the plan involves recognizing and rewarding individuals who assist accident victims. 'Good Samaritans' who help transport a victim to a hospital will receive ₹25,000 and be officially termed 'Rahveers' under the scheme. This aims to encourage immediate aid and ensure timely intervention.
Saving Lives Through Timely Care
Data from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) suggests that timely medical treatment can save the lives of at least 30% of road accident victims. With approximately 1.8 lakh fatalities annually resulting from around five lakh accidents, the government believes this scheme can prevent an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 deaths each year. This aligns with the global goal set by the Stockholm Declaration to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Addressing Fatalities
Official figures indicate a significant road safety challenge, with 1,77,177 road accident fatalities reported in 2024. While India's fatality rate of 11.89 per lakh population is comparable to that of the United States (12.76), it is considerably higher than China's rate of 4.3, underscoring the urgency of such interventions.