Scheme to treat accident victims introduced, says Satyendar Jain

New Delhi: The Delhi government has approved its ‘accident victim’ scheme under which the AAP government will provide emergency care and medical treatment to victims of fire incidents, road accidents and acid attacks free of cost once he or she is admitted to a hospital.

The Delhi cabinet approved the scheme on Tuesday. Health minister Satyendar Jain announced the govt’s scheme at a press conference on Tuesday.

The government will bear the cost of treatment at both government and private hospitals, irrespective of the victim being a resident of Delhi or not.

The scheme will now be sent to Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) Anil Baijal for his approval. Mr Jain said 8,000 accidents occur on Delhi roads every year, affecting 15,000 to 20,000 people, while the fatalities are around 1,600.

“The government’s move is aimed at saving the lives of people immediately after an accident. Most people attempt to admit road accident victims’ in a government hospital even if a  private hospital is in the vicinity. This denies the victims’ right  to  treatment within the golden hour period,” he said.

In January, the government had approved ‘Good Samaritan’ policy wherein a monetary incentive of `2,000 and appreciation certificates were given to people who help road accident victims.

Mr Jain said the scheme will be launched along with the accident victims scheme. Other decisions approved by the cabinet include revamp of monitoring and evaluation unit of planning department, which will create a roadmap for improved policy making and better delivery of services.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said, “It is under this government that a bold vision has been articulated and actions taken towards the same.”