What is PM RAHAT scheme?

• The government announced the launch of PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) Scheme aimed at providing an emergency response system for accident victims.

• Under the scheme, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim, for a period of seven days from the date of accident. 

• Stabilisation treatment will be provided for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication on an integrated digital system.

• The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical assistance after a road accident.

How PM RAHAT will be implemented?

• PM RAHAT is implemented through a technology-driven framework amalgamating the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority. 

• This integration enables seamless digital linkage from accident reporting to hospital admission, police authentication, treatment administration, claim processing, and final payment. 

• Police confirmation is required within defined timelines — 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours for life-threatening cases — ensuring accountability while allowing uninterrupted emergency care.

• Integration with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112 helpline ensures that accident victims reach hospitals within the “golden hour”. 

• Road accident victims, Rah-Veer (Good Samaritans), or any person at the accident site may dial 112 to obtain details of the nearest designated hospital and request ambulance assistance, enabling swift coordination between emergency responders, police authorities and hospitals.

• Reimbursement to hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF). 

• In cases where the offending vehicle is insured, payment will be drawn from contributions made by general insurance companies. 

• In uninsured and hit-and-run cases, payment will be made through budgetary allocation by the government of India. 

• Claims approved by the State Health Agency will be paid within 10 days, thereby providing financial certainty to hospitals and encouraging uninterrupted treatment.

Significance of the scheme

• India records a significant number of road accident fatalities every year, many of which are preventable with timely medical intervention. 

• In 2022, a total of 461,312 road accidents occurred in India, leading to 168,491 fatalities.

• Studies indicate that nearly 50 per cent of road accident deaths can be averted if victims are admitted to hospital within the first hour. 

• By approving PM RAHAT, the government has prioritised life-saving intervention, financial certainty for hospitals, and a structured emergency response system for accident victims.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)