Trauma centre: Why states dragging their feet, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• States are lagging in integrating emergency services with the 112 National Emergency Response System (NERS) and establishing trauma care infrastructure.
• The Supreme Court recently declared access to trauma care as an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Only five states/UTs—Delhi, Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana, and Lakshadweep—have reported complete integration with 112 NERS.
• Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), which operates the 1033 highway helpline, is migrating to a software solution developed by C-DAC to accelerate integration.
• The Supreme Court has directed states to establish grievance redressal systems for Good Samaritans and ensure compliance with the National Ambulance Code (NAC).

Detailed Insights:

• The 112 NERS aims to unify various emergency helplines, such as 100 (Police), 101 (Fire), 102 (Medical), 108 (Ambulance), 1033 (Highway), and 1091 (Women helpline), into a single national number.
• The Supreme Court ruling, initiated by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) from SaveLIFE Foundation, emphasizes the necessity of a uniform and robust trauma care system to reduce preventable deaths.
• States are mandated to ensure all registered ambulances, both public and private, comply with Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-125 for design and equipment, incorporate GPS tracking, and integrate with the 112 system.
• The Good Samaritan Law, first recognized by the Supreme Court in 2016 and later codified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, protects individuals who assist accident victims from legal harassment.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) oversees the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), which powers the 112 helpline and processes distress calls from multiple communication channels.
• IHMCL is a joint venture promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), concessionaires, and financial institutions, primarily responsible for implementing electronic toll collection (FASTag) and intelligent transport systems.

Key Concepts Involved:

• 112 National Emergency Response System (NERS): A pan-India single emergency helpline designed to integrate various existing emergency numbers for police, fire, medical, and other services.
• Right to Life (Article 21): A fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, interpreted by the Supreme Court to encompass access to timely and effective trauma and emergency medical care.
• Good Samaritan Law: Legal provisions that protect individuals who voluntarily provide assistance to accident victims from civil or criminal liability and harassment.
• National Ambulance Code (NAC) / AIS-125: Government standards that specify the design, equipment, and operational protocols for ambulances in India to ensure uniformity and minimum levels of patient care.