Supreme Court Urges Trauma Care as Fundamental Right
The Supreme Court has mandated states to prioritize trauma care as a fundamental right, directing strict operational guidelines within three months.
Highlights
- •Supreme Court mandates all states and UTs to operationalize 112 helpline for emergency responses
- •Robust system for good samaritan grievance redressal must be established within three months
- •States directed to ensure full compliance with AIS-125 across all ambulances by next deadline
- •All medical facilities required to register in state trauma registries, linked to national registry
New Delhi: Recognizing that prompt trauma care is integral to the right to life, India's Supreme Court has issued stringent directives. The high court recently asked all states and Union territories to operationalize the national emergency helpline '112' by establishing a functional good samaritan grievance redressal system within three months.
The bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar highlighted that in critical moments, delay often translates into reduced chances of survival. To address common hesitations among bystanders, the court called for a systemic approach with standardized first aid protocols and good samaritan laws.
Key Directions and Recommendations
To comply effectively, states are required to ensure full adherence to Automotive Industry Standard-125 (AIS-125) across all ambulances. They must also mandate the fitment of GPS/vehicle location tracking devices in all registered ambulances and integrate real-time data with the 112 helpline within the stipulated timeframe.
The court further directed that states establish state trauma registries, operational by a specific four-month deadline, covering all medical facilities while linking them to coordinated trauma registries. This measure seeks not only improved response times but also comprehensive quality assurance in emergency care.
Moreover, the Supreme Court sought interim directives on public awareness through mass-media campaigns focusing on helplines and protection laws for good Samaritans. The need for compliance reports was underlined to ensure accountability across all levels of government.
