Karnataka Government Orders Hospitals to Provide Immediate Treatment to Accident Victims Without Advance Payment
Bengaluru: In a significant move aimed at saving lives and ensuring timely medical care, the Karnataka government has directed all government and private hospitals to provide immediate treatment to accident victims without demanding advance payment.
The directive, issued through a government circular on Wednesday, reinforces existing laws and schemes designed to protect accident victims. The state stressed that no hospital should delay emergency care over financial concerns.
Who is considered an accident victim?
The circular clarified that the term “accident victim” is not limited to road accidents. It also includes individuals suffering from:
- Burn injuries
- Poisoning or toxic substance consumption
- Criminal assaults or other medico-legal emergencies
Strict penalties for non-compliance
Hospitals refusing emergency treatment may face serious consequences:
- Under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007, violators can be fined up to ₹1 lakh.
- As per Section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, offenders can face up to three months in jail or a ₹500 fine. Repeat offenders may be imprisoned for six months or fined ₹1000.
Good Samaritan protection and mandatory first aid
The government also reminded healthcare providers of the Good Samaritan and Medical Professionals Act, 2016, which requires:
- Free emergency screening and first aid
- Immediate treatment, or referral to another hospital if needed
- Full medical documentation in case of patient transfer
Cashless and free treatment schemes
To reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, the circular outlined two major support schemes:
- Cashless Treatment Scheme 2025:
- Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims
- Valid for seven days in any designated hospital
- Funded by the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund and monitored by the State Road Safety Council
- Existing state scheme:
- Offers free treatment for the first 48 hours
- Covers 76 life-saving emergency services
- Available in government hospitals, medical colleges, and hospitals linked with the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST)
A step in the right direction
Health experts and civil society groups have welcomed the move, saying it can help prevent unnecessary deaths caused by treatment delays. The order is expected to be especially helpful in rural areas, where access to emergency care is already limited.
If enforced effectively, this directive could significantly improve the state’s emergency medical response system.
