The Central Government plans to introduce a revised scheme by March to offer cashless treatment for road accident victims across the country. Under this scheme, victims will be entitled to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per person per accident, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The George Institute for Global Health has welcomed the announcement by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of a "Cashless Treatment" scheme, which offers government-funded coverage of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for road accident victims over a seven-day treatment period. This initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing road safety and ensuring timely medical intervention for accident victims.
Experts from The George Institute and participants of the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024), recently held in New Delhi, praised this policy as a critical advancement in addressing the challenges of road safety.
Dr Jagnoor Jagnoor, Head of the Injury Program at The George Institute, highlighted the transformative potential of the scheme, stating, "The cashless treatment scheme, with its increased coverage and extended care duration, will improve recovery outcomes and help mitigate the financial burdens of catastrophic health expenditures for road accident victims. This evidence-based initiative is a positive step towards reducing road traffic fatalities, disabilities, and associated economic costs. However, its effectiveness will depend heavily on proper implementation, which must be tailored to address variations across states, road types, and user demographics."
Dr Jagnoor further emphasised the need for greater investment in pre-hospital emergency care, adding, "Strengthening emergency response systems is crucial for the success of such initiatives. Additionally, India’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this domain sets a global benchmark. The upcoming 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco will be a pivotal platform to define the global agenda for the next five years."
The George Institute reaffirmed its support for this initiative and expressed optimism about its potential to transform lives and communities. The institute remains committed to assisting in the scheme’s implementation to ensure its success and long-term impact.
