Delhi Govt issue guidelines for free treatment of accident, fire victims

As per the detailed guidelines issued by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, there will be a cashless treatment of medico-legal victims of road accident, acid attack and thermal burn injury, where incident has occurred in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The treatment will be held in registered nursing homes or private hospitals situated in the NCT.

The reimbursement will be made through 'Delhi Arogya Kosh' for the cost incurred during treatment of such victim by the concerned nursing home/private hospital, as per the guidelines.

The guidelines issued by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Delhi Government includes the eligibility criteria of domicile and income status of the victim for receiving cashless treatment.The victim is not required to carry any document for the purpose of verification/eligibility except that the incident has occurred in the jurisdiction of Delhi Police.

According to the guidelines, the nursing home or private hospital registered under Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953, cannot refuse treatment to the injured/serious patients brought to them due to any reason, whatsoever.

It said under Section 357 C of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CPC) the keepers of all private hospitals in NCT of Delhi will immediately provide first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of the offence covered under section 326 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and will immediately inform the police of such incident.

Hence, duty is cast on the keeper of every nursing hospital/ private hospital to ensure that no victim of acid attack will be returned without providing the victim first-aid or immediate medical treatment, free of cost.

''The nursing home can be exempted from this scheme which have taken prior approval of the Supervising Authority regarding exemption of the availability of doctor at night in accordance to Clause 13.1 of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2011,'' the guideline said.

''While all the registered nursing homes or private hospitals which have not been provided exemption under Clause 13.1of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2011, by the Supervising Authority will mandatorily implement this scheme,'' it said.

''In case, it is found that a nursing home or private hospital has refused to treat or stabilise a medico-legal victim of road accident, acid attack and thermal burn injury, and no prior exemption for the same has given by the Supervising Authority or has not provided cashless treatment to such victims within the staff, facilities and medical expertise available in the concerned nursing home/private Hospital, a Notice to Show Cause will be issued under section 7 of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953 as to why the registration of the concerned nursing home/ private hospital registration should not be cancelled,'' it said.

''The keeper of the nursing home/ private hospital will give the following details of the victim preferably within six hours of his/her arrival on email ID dak.emergenqr@gmail.com or SMS the requisite details on mobile numbers 8745011340 and 8745011319--name of the nursing home and address, casualty Record No/ Emergency Registration No, MLC No,Name, age, gender, address, brought by,informant,brief history: whether road accident or acid attack or thermal burn injury,Police Station, DD No, Investigating Officer,'' it said.

The transfer of the victim from a nursing home/ private hospital to another medical establishment provided that the nursing home, where the victim has been initially received/ brought, is not equipped to handle such case within the staff, facilities and medical expertise therein, the doctor/ keeper shall ensure immediate transfer of the victim to an appropriate higher centre with requisite facilities either in their own ambulance or use the services of the ambulance provider mentioned by the keeper at the time of registration/renewal of registration or use the services of CATS ambulance of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).

The decision regarding transferring such victim must be taken within 24 hrs of his/her time of arrival at the concerned nursing home/ private hospital and the information regarding transfer of such victim to another medical establishment alongwith reasons for the same shall be provided by the keeper to the supervising authority within 24 hrs of such transfer on email Id: dak.emergenclz@ gmail.com.

ln case, the reason for such transfer/ referral is not found satisfactory by the Supervising Authority, a notice to Show Cause shall be issued under section 7 of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953 as to why the registration of the concerned nursing home/ private hospital registration should not be cancelled.

The procedure to be followed at the time of discharge, the hospital will provide a copy of the bill showing 100 per cent discount, discharge summary to the victim and keep a receipt of the same alongwith certification regarding cashless facility provided to the victim concerned.

The facilities to be provided to such victims are of that provided to a paid indoor patient admitted in the similar category that is the lowest economy category available in the concerned hospital/ nursing home.

The keeper will not charge any amount from the victim and his/her family or guardian for any reason, whatsoever. However, under no circumstances, elevation of category that is from general ward to semi private room/private room, will be permitted during the entire length of stay of the victim in the concerned nursing home/private hospital.

ln case, it is found that the concerned nursing home/ private hospital has discriminated in the provision of facility an treatment in any manner whatsoever against the victim in providing services in the nursing home/private hospital, as compared to other patient of equal status and coming for identical services then, action as deemed fit, will be initiated against the keeper.

The guidelines said the nursing homes/ private hospitals interested in seeking reimbursement of the expenditure incurred during the treatment of such victim(s) are required to enter into an agreement with 'Delhi Arogya Kosh' for this purpose. The payment will be made at the previously finalised rates.