Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Governance
Why in News?
The Kerala government will soon implement the Union government’s PM-RAHAT (Prime Minister–Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) scheme.
- PM RAHAT is a structured emergency response scheme designed to provide immediate, cashless medical care to road accident victims.
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Accident Status in India
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- India records a significant number of road accident fatalities every year, many of which are preventable with timely medical intervention.
- Studies indicate that nearly 50% of road accident deaths can be averted if victims are admitted to hospital within the first hour.
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- It focuses heavily on utilizing the Golden Hour (the first hour after trauma when prompt medical care has the highest likelihood of preventing death).
- Target Beneficiary - Any road accident victim on any category of road in India.
- Financial Cap- Cashless treatment up to Rs.1.5 lakh per victim.
- Time Limitation- Covered for a maximum period of 7 days from the date of the accident.
- Stabilization Windows
- Up to 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases.
- Up to 48 hours for life-threatening cases.
- Implementation - The scheme is implemented through two separate ministerial platforms - Ministry of Road Transport and Highways & National Health Authority.
- eDAR Platform: Electronic Detailed Accident Report under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
- TMS 2.0: Transaction Management System under the National Health Authority (NHA).
- Emergency Helpline Integration - Integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112 helplines.
- Victims, Good Samaritans (Rah-Veer), or bystanders can dial 112 to locate the nearest designated hospital and request ambulance assistance.
- Funding Mechanism - Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) via a tiered funding model based on the nature of the accident.
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Accident Scenario
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Source of Hospital Reimbursement
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Offending vehicle is insured
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Contributions made by General Insurance Companies
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Uninsured OR Hit & Run cases
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Budgetary allocation by the Government of India
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- Financial Settlement Timeline - Claims approved by the State Health Agency (SHA) must be paid to the hospitals within 10 days to ensure financial certainty.
- Police Authentication - Treatment and stabilization are subject to mandatory police confirmation on an integrated digital system within strict timelines.
- Grievance Redressal - Addressed at the district level by a nominated Grievance Redressal Officer under the District Road Safety Committee.
- Chaired by - The District Collector / District Magistrate / Deputy Commissioner.
Reference
The Hindu | PM-RAHAT scheme
