SC mandates uniform trauma care framework, integration of emergency helplines

New Delhi: Maintaining that the right to trauma care is an integral part of the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has called for systemic reforms, including a uniform national framework for trauma management and effective implementation of Good Samaritan laws.

A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar on May 26 issued a series of interim directions while hearing a petition filed by the SaveLife Foundation, which highlighted the need to recognise trauma care as a justiciable right in Indian public law. 

Attorney General R Venkataramani and senior advocate Sidharth Luthra assisted the court in the matter of significant public interest.

The apex court directed all states and Union Territories to complete full technical and operational integration of all emergency or ambulance helplines into the single emergency number 112 within three months. It also asked them to launch concurrent mass-media publicity campaigns for the helpline and submit compliance reports.

The bench further directed states and UTs to establish functional physical and digital Good Samaritan grievance redressal mechanisms, with designated nodal authorities at the state and district levels, within three months. Authorities must organise monthly review meetings and upload the minutes on the relevant portals.

“Every minute spent without medical intervention significantly narrows the scope for survival. Swiftness is quite literally like medicine,” the court observed, underlining the critical importance of timely care in accident and trauma cases where victims often experience shock and helplessness.

The bench noted that despite the natural urge to help, bystanders frequently hesitate due to fear of legal complications, police summons, or the psychological burden of the situation. 

“To address these barriers, what is required is a systemic intervention, creation of a uniform framework for trauma care, building public awareness, standardization of first aid skills and proper Good Samaritan laws,” it said.

The court permitted the Centre to formulate a medical rescue protocol for trauma cases within three months and directed states and UTs to operationalise it within the subsequent three months.

Among other directions, the bench ordered full compliance with Automotive Industry Standard-125 (AIS-125) for all registered ambulances — both public and private — mandatory fitment of GPS/vehicle location tracking devices with real-time integration to 112, and periodic structured audits on response times, quality of care, equipment, and outcomes.

Compliance reports are to be submitted to a designated Union-level authority within three months.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been asked to issue guidelines prescribing the data format for a trauma registry within eight weeks. States and UTs must establish their own registries, linked to a national coordinated system, within four months.

The court also called for sustained, multi-lingual mass-media campaigns to create awareness about helpline 112, protections under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act for Good Samaritans, the grievance redressal system, and the cashless treatment scheme PM-RAHAT. 

States and UTs that have not yet adopted the PM-RAHAT scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims have been given three months to fully operationalise it.

The court posted the matter for further hearing after four months.