These gestures aim to honor their bravery and remove apprehensions about legal complications.

Chandigarh: The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has introduced the Farishte Yojana (Farishtey Scheme), a revolutionary initiative aimed at providing immediate and uninterrupted medical treatment to road accident victims. Since its launch on January 25, 2024, the scheme has proven to be a lifesaver, offering free medical care to 223 accident victims and significantly reducing fatalities caused by road accidents.

The scheme addresses a common concern: pedestrians and bystanders often hesitate to help accident victims, fearing legal entanglements or police investigations. Under the Farishtey Scheme, no legal action or inquiry will be initiated against anyone assisting a road accident victim unless the person willingly agrees to serve as a witness.

Encouraging Good Samaritans

To encourage people to help accident victims, the government is providing cash rewards of Rs 2,000 and appreciation certificates to those who step forward as 'angels.' These gestures aim to honor their bravery and remove apprehensions about legal complications. So far, 66 such 'angels' have been registered with the State Health Agency (SHA) of Punjab. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Punjab has also joined this noble initiative to extend its support.

An initial budget allocation of Rs 20 crore has been proposed for the financial year 2024-25 to implement the scheme effectively.

Network of Empaneled Hospitals and Services

The Farishtey Scheme has listed 494 hospitals, including 90 tertiary care hospitals, to provide immediate treatment to accident victims within a 30 km radius of National and State Highways/Roads.

Key features of the scheme include:

• Free treatment for all road accident victims, irrespective of their residency or insurance status.
• 24-hour emergency services in both large and small hospitals.
• A dedicated Maple app to connect 2,000 ambulances across hospitals, allowing users to book ambulances and locate the nearest available hospitals.
• Emergency services provided free of cost for residents and non-residents alike, with the Punjab government bearing all expenses.

Integration with Emergency Helplines

The scheme is linked to emergency helplines—108, 1033, and 112—operated by the Road Safety Force (RSF). These helplines use IT systems to identify the nearest hospital within a 30 km radius and ensure victims are transported swiftly. Ambulance staff has been specially trained to handle such emergencies efficiently.

Infrastructure and Awareness Initiatives

Hospitals under the scheme will be equipped with both basic and advanced emergency services:

• Basic services will include two doctors and essential support staff.
• Advanced services will involve four doctors and additional staff to ensure comprehensive treatment.
• Doctors and medical personnel will be recruited as needed to meet these requirements.

Additionally, the government is raising awareness about the importance of keeping first aid kits in vehicles, which should include essential items like pain relief medicines, cotton, gauze, and bandages.

A Transformative Road Safety Plan

The Farishtey Scheme is not only saving lives but also creating a culture of responsibility and compassion among the public. By addressing the gaps in emergency healthcare and empowering Good Samaritans, the Punjab government is setting a benchmark in road safety and accident response.