Delhi Government's new scheme for road accident victims approved by LG

Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday approved a Delhi Government scheme, whereby it will bear the cost of treatment of victims of motor accidents, fire and acid attacks that take place on the city's roads at private hospitals.

Baijal termed it as a "step in the right direction".

In a statement, he also stressed that for a robust healthcare system, the government institutions also need to be strengthened, as the healthcare system cannot be left entirely in the hands of the private sector".

The Lt Governor also observed that "complete transparency and relevant procedures or guidelines should be followed strictly while empanelling private hospitals".

He has also emphasised that a mechanism must be evolved for ensuring that unnecessary tests are not prescribed in collusion with private medical centres.

"Further, the quality of tests and the private institutions empanelled for these tests also should be ensured through appropriate penalties in case of malpractices/poor quality," the Raj Niwas said in a statement.

He also advised that the administrative department must also "develop a system of online Aadhaar-based/biometric tracking of patients to ensure proper follow-up and to prevent any malpractices, given the financial implications, it said.

"Lt Governor today approved the Cabinet decision of the Health Department relating to the provision of free treatment for medico-legal victims of road accidents, acid attack and burn injuries and termed it as a step in the right direction," the statement said.

The Lt Governor has also approved the proposal of the department for outsourcing of diagnostic (non-radiological) services to provide free laboratory services at Mohalla Clinics, polyclinics and Mobile Health Clinics, it said.

Baijal has also concurred with the amendments to the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme to provide financial assistance for specified high-end diagnostic (radiological) tests/surgeries.

However, noting that the original purpose of the scheme was to help the poor and needy sections of the society, and that the Planning Department too has advocated an income ceiling, he advised the government to retain some "income ceiling" so that the resources of the government are used to help the poor and the needy, and the "poor are not crowded out by the well-to-do".

The LG also noted that the focus of these schemes appeared to be on outsourcing and there is no mention in the proposal about any action plan to strengthen the diagnostic infrastructure in the government institutions.