GUWAHATI: Recognising trauma care as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories to integrate emergency and ambulance helplines into the common emergency number 112 within three months.
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The court issued a series of interim directions aimed at creating a uniform and robust trauma care system across the country, including operationalisation of the PM RAHAT cashless treatment scheme and establishment of Good Samaritan grievance redressal mechanisms.
A bench comprising Justice J. K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar observed that a comprehensive trauma care framework and greater public awareness could significantly reduce preventable deaths caused by road accidents.
“A uniform and robust system of trauma care, steps towards its progressive realisation, and increasing public awareness are well-intentioned and may turn out to be absolutely critical in reducing preventable deaths,” the bench was reported as stating.
The directions came while hearing a petition filed by SaveLIFE Foundation, a Delhi-based road safety organisation, which sought the creation of a standardised trauma care system and time-bound implementation of road safety regulations across states.
The court took note of the high number of fatalities caused by road accidents in India, with nearly 1.77 lakh people losing their lives in 2024. It observed that delayed access to emergency medical care remains one of the primary reasons behind the high fatality rate.
Highlighting the role of Good Samaritans in saving accident victims, the bench acknowledged that many bystanders hesitate to help due to fear of police inquiries and legal complications. To address this, states have been directed to establish functional Good Samaritan grievance redressal systems within three months.
The Supreme Court also expressed concern over the non-compliance of ambulances with prescribed standards and their lack of accessibility during emergencies. It directed all states to ensure compliance with the National Ambulance Code, installation of GPS or vehicle location tracking devices in ambulances, and real-time integration with the 112 emergency response system.
Additionally, the court instructed authorities to conduct periodic audits assessing ambulance response time, quality of care, equipment standards and patient outcomes.
The bench further directed states that have not yet adopted the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, PM RAHAT, to implement the scheme within the next three months.
