PM-RAHAT can save lives

Road accidents are often followed by a second crisis, i.e the struggle to arrange immediate medical treatment. For victims and their families, the first few hours can determine whether an injury becomes fatal or survivable. In this context, the PM-RAHAT scheme offers an important safety net for road accident victims in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 900 victims have already availed cashless treatment under PM-RAHAT and the Rah-Veer schemes. The number indicates that the initiative is reaching people, but it also highlights the need for much wider awareness. A scheme that can provide treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days cannot remain unfamiliar to the public. The golden hour after an accident is critical. Delays in shifting victims to hospitals can turn survivable injuries into fatalities. PM-RAHAT seeks to address this gap by providing cashless treatment and integrating accident reporting, police authentication, hospital admission and claim processing through a digital system. But technology alone cannot make the scheme successful. Police personnel, hospitals, ambulance services and emergency responders must know the procedures thoroughly and act without unnecessary delays. Ordinary citizens must also know where to seek help. The 112 emergency number should be widely publicised alongside information about PM-RAHAT. The government should therefore treat awareness as an essential component of road-safety policy. Information about the scheme can be displayed at hospitals, trauma centres, police stations, driving schools, transport offices and major road junctions. Awareness campaigns should also reach rural and remote areas, where access to emergency care can be more difficult. At the same time, hospitals must ensure that administrative formalities do not obstruct emergency treatment. The purpose of PM-RAHAT is precisely to remove financial uncertainty during the most critical hours. Saving lives after accidents requires more than preventing crashes. It also requires ensuring that every victim receives timely care. PM-RAHAT can become a powerful instrument in that effort if awareness, response and implementation move together.