Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has warned hospitals of strict action if they refuse to admit or delay treatment for road accident victims covered under the Central government’s PM RAHAT scheme. Chairing a review meeting with district health officials and representatives of allied departments on Saturday, the MP stressed that every eligible victim must receive immediate cashless emergency care without procedural hurdles.
MP reviews implementation of PM RAHAT scheme
The review meeting focused on the implementation of the PM RAHAT scheme in Dakshina Kannada and examined the preparedness of government and private hospitals to provide timely treatment to road accident victims.
Capt Brijesh Chowta said the scheme was introduced to ensure that victims receive immediate medical attention, reducing fatalities caused by delays in hospital admission. He warned that any hospital found negligent or unwilling to admit accident victims during emergencies would face stringent action.
He said the scheme is a critical initiative aimed at saving lives and ensuring that victims are not denied treatment because of financial concerns or documentation requirements. According to the MP, hospitals must fulfil their responsibility by admitting patients without hesitation and following the prescribed procedures under the scheme.
Free treatment up to Rs 1.50 lakh
Under the PM RAHAT scheme, every eligible road accident victim is entitled to receive free cashless emergency treatment of up to Rs 1.50 lakh for a maximum period of seven days. The treatment is available at both government and empanelled private hospitals.
Victims or those accompanying them are not required to produce documents at the time of admission, enabling hospitals to begin treatment immediately. The initiative has been designed to eliminate delays often caused by concerns over payment or verification during medical emergencies.
Capt Brijesh Chowta said the Prime Minister introduced the scheme to remove the fear and hesitation people often experience while taking accident victims to hospitals. He noted that while the Central government launched the programme in 2025, the Karnataka government implemented it in February this year.
He urged officials to ensure that Dakshina Kannada emerges as a model district in effectively implementing the scheme.
Hospitals directed to follow portal guidelines
The MP highlighted the importance of timely data entry under the scheme. He said hospitals are required to upload the details of every eligible accident victim to the designated online portal within 24 hours of admission. In critical cases, the information can be uploaded within a maximum of 48 hours.
Once the police department verifies the details, the government directly reimburses the treatment expenses under the scheme. Capt Brijesh Chowta cautioned that failure to upload the required information within the stipulated timeframe could deprive eligible patients of the benefits.
He directed all government and private hospitals in the district to strictly comply with the prescribed timelines to ensure that accident victims receive uninterrupted financial support for treatment.
Officials asked to strengthen implementation
To improve implementation across the district, the MP instructed the District Health Officer to conduct taluk-level meetings with major hospitals and healthcare institutions. These meetings, he said, should focus on creating awareness about the scheme and ensuring uniform compliance with operational guidelines.
He also stressed the need for proper maintenance of records relating to accident victims treated under the programme. Suggesting a structured monitoring mechanism, he called for monthly review meetings to assess progress, identify shortcomings and improve coordination among stakeholders.
Capt Brijesh Chowta further emphasised that the Health Department, Police Department and hospitals must work together seamlessly to ensure that beneficiaries receive timely treatment and financial assistance without unnecessary delays.
Officials attend review meeting
The review meeting was attended by MLA Vedavyas Kamath, District Health Officer Dr H Thimmaiah, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravishankar and representatives from major hospitals across Dakshina Kannada.
The discussions centred on improving awareness, streamlining implementation and ensuring that hospitals adhere to the operational requirements of the PM RAHAT scheme.
Conclusion
The review meeting underscored the district administration’s focus on strengthening the implementation of the PM RAHAT scheme and ensuring that no road accident victim is denied emergency medical care. With strict monitoring, timely reporting and coordinated efforts among hospitals, health officials and the police, the district aims to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the full benefits of the Central government’s cashless treatment initiative.