The Hindu Business Line : When accident victims are left in the lurch

``THE other day I got a call from a person stating that an accident victim was lying in front of a school near his home, who needed hospital help. I asked him to tell the police. Pat came the reply, I have done that sir, and was asked to visit the police station and file a written complaint. This is an indication of the state of handling trauma cases by the law and order machinery in the twin cities.''

Narrating this incident, the veteran Director of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Dr Kakarla Subba Rao, said a drastic change was needed in the way accidents and emergency cases, especially with medico-legal implications, are treated.

Speaking at a function to launch an indigenous Cobalt-Chromium Steel stent produced by Relisys Medical Devices Ltd, the NIMS Director said, ``It is in a way unfortunate that 70 per cent of the medicare is being taken by he private sector.

The gap between Government medicare and the extravagant corporate hospitals is growing. He hoped this unwelcome difference is looked into.'' He said technology should help provide better and affordable medicare to the common man.

Interestingly, the City Police, the State Transport Department and some corporate and Government Hospitals said they had made efforts to change the common perception on accidents and trauma cases handling and reportage in recent times.

The police are encouraging people to call the `Crime Stopper Cell' and report any cases of accident or other crime. They also assure the public that they would be saved the bother of filing a physical complaint or the consequences.

With the number of accident cases increasing alarmingly on Hyderabad roads, the public needs to be made aware of this measure soon to ensure that the fear of legal tangles in such cases is reduced. In short, an anonymous call alone should lead to positive action.

A Group of Corporate Hospitals has offered critical and trauma care help to people. The Global Hospital has for example put together a `Global Risk Team', which includes a set of two-member teams on two-wheelers with first aid and communication facilities.

These teams, which will be moving around on roads, willprovide basic medical care to the affected. The public can also inform the teams if they happen to witness any accident.

The teams will also suggest appropriate hospital care immediately, according to a Hospital spokesperson.

More Stories on : Accidents | Andhra Pradesh | Roadways

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