No questioning with person who brings accident victim to hospital, govt says it again

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: When a person brings an injured accident victim to hospital, there would not be any interrogation with him.

The Good Samaritan or bystander who brought the injured for treatment, can neither be quizzed nor detained. They would also not required to pay any fee for admitting the injured person/s.

This has been reiterated by MP government and fresh directives have been issued to publicize it so that people help accident victims and don't avoid going to hospitals for fear of questioning.

On direction of Supreme Court, the MP Directorate of Health Services has come out with order that all the private and government hospitals must adhere to these guidelines.

The implementation of these guidelines has to be done through Chief Medical and Health officers (CMHOs) and Civil Suregons, Superintendents of hospitals.

These guidelines have to be painted on the walls of all the hospitals in both Hindi and English so that the people are aware of the provision and don't think twice before helping the injured.

If a bystander or Good Samaritan makes a phone call about an injured person lying on road to ensure emergency health services for the victim, the caller can not be forced to provide his name or other details, the directives further state.

Also, in a medico-legal case, it is optional or voluntary to give information about the Good Samaritan. The eyewitness will be allowed to go after furnishing his/her address.

Around 50% persons injured in accidents can be saved if they are rushed to hospital timely. The Supreme Court maintained that such people who help accident victims need appreciation, not harassment. It asked Centre to publicise the guidelines.

The Madhya Pradesh government has again issued these instructions for wider publicity and to ensure that people are aware of these provisions.