In SaveLIFE Foundation & Anr. vs Union of India & Ors. (2026), the Supreme Court recognized access to trauma care as an integral part of Article 21 (Right to Life).
- The Supreme Court emphasized that access to trauma care is no longer merely a welfare measure but a constitutional obligation flowing from Article 21, making emergency healthcare a justiciable right.
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Key Directions of the Supreme Court
- Integrated Emergency Response System: The Court directed all States and UTs to integrate emergency helplines such as 100, 101, 102, 108, 1033 and 1091 into the single national emergency number 112 within three months.
- Standardization of Ambulance Services: All public and private ambulances must comply with the National Ambulance Code, install GPS tracking systems, and be linked with the 112 emergency network.
- Trauma-Care Infrastructure and Registries: States must establish trauma registries linked to a national database and classify hospitals according to trauma-care capacity across highways, urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
- Implementation of PM RAHAT and Good Samaritan Protection: The Court directed time-bound implementation of the PM RAHAT cashless treatment scheme and strengthened grievance redressal mechanisms for Good Samaritans assisting accident victims.
PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme
- PM RAHAT is a nationwide cashless trauma-care scheme that ensures timely emergency treatment for road accident victims during the critical “Golden Hour”.
- Launch: The scheme was launched in February 2026 under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to reduce preventable road-accident deaths.
- Nodal Bodies: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in coordination with the National Health Authority (NHA) and State Health Agencies.
- Implementation Mechanism
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- Cashless Treatment: Every eligible road accident victim is entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for a maximum period of 7 days.
- 112 Integration: The scheme is integrated with the ERSS-112 helpline for ambulance support and referral to the nearest designated hospital.
- Digital Platform: It links MoRTH’s eDAR platform with NHA’s TMS 2.0 for end-to-end digital processing from accident reporting to claim settlement.
- Funding and Claims: Hospital reimbursements are made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF), with approved claims settled within 10 days.
About Good Samaritan Scheme
- Launched on: 3rd Oct 2021 by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- Objective: To motivate the general public to help road accident victims in emergencies and motivate others to save innocent lives.
- Provisions: It grants an award to the good samaritan who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal accident (involving a motor vehicle) by administering immediate assistance and rushing to the Hospital/Trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident
- Award & Certificate: As per the Scheme Guidelines, the amount of award for each Good Samaritan would be Rs. 5,000/- per incident & a certificate of appreciation.
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About Trauma Care
Trauma care refers to the organized system of emergency medical services, transportation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care provided to victims of injuries caused by accidents, burns, falls, violence, disasters, or other emergencies.
Provisions Related to Trauma Care in India
- Article 21 of the Constitution: The Right to Life includes the right to timely emergency medical treatment and trauma care.
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Section 162 provides for cashless treatment of road accident victims through designated schemes such as PM RAHAT.
- Section 134A, Motor Vehicles Act: Provides statutory protection to Good Samaritans who assist accident victims from legal and procedural harassment.
- Good Samaritan Rules, 2020: Ensure that bystanders helping injured persons are not subjected to unnecessary police questioning or liability.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Supports strengthening of emergency medical services, trauma centres and ambulance networks across the country.
Significance of Trauma Care
- Reducing Preventable Deaths: Timely trauma care can significantly reduce fatalities, especially during the “golden hour”.
- Golden hour is the one-hour period following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.
- Strengthening Public Health Systems: A robust trauma-care network improves emergency preparedness and healthcare delivery across regions.
- Enhancing Road Safety Outcomes: Efficient trauma response complements road-safety measures and reduces mortality from road traffic accidents.
- Promoting Equitable Healthcare Access: Standardized trauma-care services ensure that life-saving treatment is available irrespective of location, income, or social background.
- Improving Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: A coordinated trauma-care system enhances national capacity to respond to natural disasters, industrial accidents, fires, and mass-casualty incidents.
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Conclusion
By recognizing trauma care as a constitutional right under Article 21, the Supreme Court has transformed emergency healthcare from a policy objective into an enforceable entitlement, strengthening public health and saving lives.
30 May 2026
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