Cashless treatment for victims on Gurgaon-Jaipur highway

Starting July 29, road accident victims on the 200-km Gurgaon-Jaipur stretch of National Highway-8 would be able to avail cashless treatment of up to Rs 30,000 at any of the 70 empanelled hospitals on this route.

Starting July 29, road accident victims on the 200-km Gurgaon-Jaipur stretch of National Highway-8 would be able to avail cashless treatment of up to Rs 30,000 at any of the 70 empanelled hospitals on this route.

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In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, highways minister Oscar Fernandes will launch the pilot scheme on this busy stretch which, on an average. witnesses seven accidents a day. In 2011, over 2,500 accidents were reported on this road.

The cashless treatment would be provided within the first 48 hours of an accident. The ministry has roped in private insurance firm ICICI Lombard to execute the project and settle claims as part of its corporate social responsibility. While the ministry has created a corpus of R20 crore for the scheme, ICICI will spend Rs 30 lakh.

To start with, the ministry has tied up with 70 CGHS-empanelled hospitals and 11 ambulances to facilitate quick and timely medical treatment. People can call up a helpline number – 1033 –to report an accident. Once a call is lodged, volunteers trained in trauma care would reach the spot and help stabilise the victim till an ambulance arrives.

“The scheme will help enhance the survival chances of road accident victims by providing proper and timely medical care during the ‘Golden Hour’ — the crucial first 60 minutes,” said a road ministry official.

The ministry intends to roll out the scheme, announced last year by then road minister CP Joshi, across India at a later date.

“ICICI Lombard will participate in the scheme initially for one year, subject to extension from the road transport ministry,” said Birendra Mohanty, VP, financial inclusion solutions group, ICICI Lombard.