Sri Vijaya Puram, October 28: Road accident victims in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can access cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh under the Centre’s PM-RAHAT scheme at seven empanelled hospitals, as the Health Department works to expand coverage to additional facilities, including private hospitals. The scheme seeks to prevent avoidable deaths by ensuring that delays in treatment or a lack of immediate funds do not obstruct emergency medical care during the critical first hour after a crash.
Launched nationwide on February 13, 2026, the Prime Minister, Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) scheme provides eligible victims of motor vehicle accidents with cashless treatment for up to seven days from the date of the accident, subject to prescribed guidelines. The benefit applies irrespective of the category of road on which the accident occurs.
The seven hospitals empanelled so far, according to a communication from the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration, are G.B. Pant Hospital in Sri Vijaya Puram, Bishop John Richardson Hospital in Car Nicobar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder, and community health centres in Diglipur, Rangat, Nancowry and Bambooflat.
The limited number of empanelled facilities makes awareness of the scheme’s emergency procedures important for road users, particularly when immediate treatment is required. The Transport Department has advised the public to call 112 for emergency assistance, ambulance support and information about the nearest designated hospital.
A victim, family member, bystander or Good Samaritan can make the call. The victim should be transported without delay to the nearest appropriate medical facility. At a designated hospital, staff process treatment and the required formalities through the prescribed digital system, while the concerned authorities verify accident details under the scheme’s guidelines.
Hospitals that are not designated under PM-RAHAT must provide stabilisation treatment as prescribed before referring or transferring a patient, where necessary. The permitted stabilisation period is up to 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours for life-threatening cases, subject to applicable guidelines and police authentication requirements.
The Health Department is working to onboard more hospitals, including private facilities, to widen access to the scheme across the islands. The extent and timeline of this expansion have not been specified in the information issued.
The Transport Department has also urged road users to follow traffic rules, wear helmets and seat belts, maintain safe speeds, avoid distracted driving and never drive under the influence of alcohol. Citizens have been asked to alert emergency services promptly when they encounter a road accident and help spread awareness of the scheme.
The immediate public priority remains rapid reporting and transportation to an appropriate medical facility, alongside wider awareness of where cashless treatment is available.
