In a decisive move to uphold patient welfare in critical situations, the Karnataka government has issued a circular mandating that all medical establishments and practitioners must provide immediate emergency care to accident victims—without insisting on any advance payment. This directive reaffirms the state’s commitment to ensuring lifesaving treatment reaches those in urgent need.
Legal Obligations and Coverage
The directive draws upon multiple legal provisions:
Under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, the definition of “accident victim” includes not only road accident cases but also burns, poisoning, criminal assaults, and other medico-legal emergencies. Section 11(i) of the Act requires emergency care to be provided without advance payment, and non-compliance may attract penalties of up to ₹1 lakh.
As per the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional Act, 2016, hospitals must provide free medical screening and first aid. Even if facilities are limited, institutions are required to stabilize patients before transferring them, ensuring the transfer includes full medical documentation.
Expanded Enforcement and Relief Measures
The circular also references the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, offering accident victims cashless medical coverage up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days after the incident. Claims are processed via the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund.
Adding to this, Karnataka’s state health scheme provides 48 hours of immediate cashless care—covering 76 essential, lifesaving services—at government hospitals, medical colleges, and hospitals empanelled under the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST).
Section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is also invoked. It mandates that registered medical professionals must treat accident victims; failure to comply can lead to penalties, including imprisonment of up to three months or fines for first-time offenders, with harsher consequences for repeated violations.
Oversight and Implementation
The State Road Safety Council has been designated as the nodal agency overseeing the implementation of these directives. The circular emphasizes that all hospitals and registered practitioners must act swiftly to render first aid and stabilize patients—failing which they face serious legal penalties.
Final Thoughts
This directive makes it unequivocally clear that financial barriers cannot delay emergency care for accident victims. It tightens both patient protections and institutional responsibilities—speeding life-saving treatment and removing red tape when every moment matters.
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