Argus News - Odisha Rolls Out Cashless Treatment For Road Accident Victims

Bhubaneswar, Apr 10: The Odisha government announced cashless medical treatment for road accident victims under the “Prime Minister’s Relief Scheme”, aiming to provide immediate and hassle-free healthcare support.

Free Treatment With Defined Coverage
Under the initiative, accident victims will be eligible for free medical treatment for up to seven days from the date of the incident, with financial coverage of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per person.

The directive states that victims must be admitted within 24 hours of the accident to avail the benefits, with treatment available at designated government hospitals.

The move is aimed at ensuring timely medical intervention and reducing fatalities caused by delays in treatment.

Police Directed To Ensure Swift Response
The state issued instructions to all district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to facilitate prompt medical assistance for accident victims.

To streamline coordination, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) will be appointed in each district as a nodal officer to link law enforcement, hospitals, and the public for faster response and admission.

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Technology To Aid Monitoring And Response
Authorities plan to integrate CCTV surveillance and toll plaza traffic data to identify accident-prone zones and enable quicker emergency response.

These measures are expected to strengthen monitoring and improve on-ground coordination during emergencies.

PM RAHAT Scheme To Reduce Financial Burden
The initiative, named PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment), is designed to ease the financial burden on victims and their families.

Officials said the scheme will enhance emergency healthcare delivery and contribute to improving survival rates in road accidents across the state.