The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced that it would bear the cost of medical treatment up to Rs 50,000 for all the road accident victims across the state.

As per the decision, the state government would bear the medical expenses of an injured person during the first 48 hours of an accident on being shifted to nearest hospital, be it government, private or trust run.

There is also no rider with regards to income, age or type of treatment to be received by the patient.

Gujarat on average records about 29,000 road accidents and around 6,500 deaths annually.

“The decision has been taken to help victims avail speedy treatment and get the requisite tests, including MRI, CT Scan or X-Ray and treatment, including operation, during the critical 48 hours after the accident,” Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said in an official statement.

“The hospitals need not charge the patient any money for treatment during the first 48 hours and can get them reimbursed by submitting the bills to the district medical officer.”

Moreover, the scheme is not restricted to only citizens of Gujarat but any person travelling in Gujarat, be it from any part of the country or a foreign national, would be entitled to this benefit.