Alarmed by the rising number of road accident deaths — India, let’s remember, is the world’s road accident capital by some distance — the government has issued a circular to all states and Union territories that those who come forward to help victims should not be harassed.
Now, this policy isn’t new. The circular was issued to the Delhi police a few years ago and you may even have seen it as a forwarded e-mail. Clearly, the government’s good intentions have not been translated into action so far. The main reason why people still hesitate to help an accident victim is that despite the circular issued from the top, things remain unchanged at the bottom.
There are two reasons: first, our hospitals are, sadly, more worried whether they will be able to recover the fees for services provided rather than whether there is enough time to save a victim. Second, the short-staffed police department still has paperwork to complete at the end of the day and the good Samaritan is often the only source of information.
Thus, though no law places any onus on the saviours, they end up finding themselves at the wrong end of the stick. Only better awareness can change things. Each party involved — doctors, the police, citizens — must be sensitised.
Even then, it will not — and should not — mean that one’s job is done after taking a victim to hospital. There will be procedures to be completed. If, instead of issuing mere circulars, the government can simplify these procedures, more people may be willing to do their bit to save a fellow human.
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