BENGALURU: Strict action will be taken against medical establishments that deny or delay emergency care, with the state government issuing a circular to all hospitals and doctors to treat accident victims on priority.
The circular, issued by the Health and Family Welfare department on September 3, states that patients injured in road accidents, through burns, poisoning or assault, must be treated without demanding advance payment.
“Under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, ‘accident victim’ means not only road accidents but also accidental or induced burns or poisoning or criminal assault and the like, which are medico-legal or potential medico-legal cases,” the circular said.
As per the Act, emergency treatment cannot be denied. Violations can lead to fines of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional Act, 2016, further mandates that every hospital, must provide free first aid.
Hospitals lacking facilities must give basic treatment before safely transferring patients. Repeated negligence can attract fines of up to Rs 5 lakh, criminal charges, and even cancellation of licences.
It also points to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which makes it a legal duty for doctors to treat accident victims without delay. Alongside this, the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, ensures up to Rs 1.5 lakh worth of free treatment for seven days in designated hospitals, with costs reimbursed from the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund.
Karnataka also has its own cashless accident care scheme, which covers the first 48 hours of treatment, including 76 life-saving services, in government hospitals, medical colleges, and those empanelled under the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust.