Maharashtra takes a cue from Tamil Nadu government

Plans 3-day cashless treatment for accident victims.

On the lines of the Tamil Nadu government, the Maharashtra government is planning to introduce a three-day cashless treatment policy for victims of road accidents in the state.

Health minister Deepak Sawant announced this in the state Legislative Council on Thursday. He said, “While the number of road accidents in the state is on the rise, the injured do not get timely treatment, due to which some of them have to lose their lives, while some face other problems. At several private hospitals, the injured are not admitted for immediate treatment.”

“To provide timely treatment to road accident victims, we are planning to provide a three-day insurance cover on the lines of Tamil Nadu. This will ensure that they get treatment in government, as well private hospitals,” he added.

The Tamil Nadu government recently launched a cashless treatment plan for road accident victims, which entitles accident victims to immediate cashless treatment at hospitals for up to 48 hours with a cap of Rs 25,000. The packages covered under this scheme include treatment for simple injury, complicated facial injury, injury of extremities, fractures, head injuries, blood transfusion and burn-related injuries, among others.

“To fill up vacant posts of doctors in government hospitals, we are also planning to form a separate selection panel in the state,” said the health minister.

According to Mr Sawant, out of 1,552 vacant posts of doctors in government hospitals, 639 posts have been filled so far. Of the 512 posts of specialist doctors, 151 have been filled. The panel will be formed to fill up the remaining 1,274 vacant posts of doctors. On the district level, doctors will be hired through the direct interview process, said Mr Sawant.