Karnataka becomes first state to give legal protection to those who help accidents victims

Agencies
September 30, 2018

New Delhi, Sept 30: President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to a bill which will give legal protection to the good samaritans in Karnataka who help accidents victims with emergency medical care within the 'golden hour', officials said Sunday.

With this, Karnataka has become the first state to give legal protection to good samaritans through a legislation amidst the rising incidents of accidental deaths in India, which saw 1,50,785 people getting killed in road accidents in 2016.

The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during Emergency Situations) Bill, 2016, aims to give protection to good samaritans and ensure immediate medical assistance for road accident victims within the 'golden hour' and encourage people to offer first aid to victims without fear of harassment in the hands of police and investigations.

In medical term the 'golden hour' is the first hour after a traumatic injury when emergency treatment is very crucial.

Under the new law, the Karnataka government will provide financial help to good samaritans who help victims in a timely manner, they will be exempted from repeated attendance in courts and police stations, in case attendance is mandatory, expenses of such "running around to courts and police stations" will be taken care through the proposed 'Good Samaritan Fund'.

After admitting the accident victim to the hospital, the good samaritan can leave immediately, all government, as well as private hospitals, are bound to give first aid to the accident victims, according to the new legislation.

Another official said there have been many instances when people get busy in clicking photos or making videos of the victims, instead of providing the accident victims medical help.

"With the new law, there will be clear message that good samaritans will not be harassed in any manner," the official said.

There were 4,80,652 road accidents in the country in 2016 in which 1,50,785 people were killed. In 2015, there were 5,01,423 road accidents in the country in which 1,46,133 people were killed.

Karnataka is one of the top five states which saw a large number of people getting killed in road accidents in 2016 and 2015.

There is no central law to protect the good samaritans. However, the Union Surface Transport Ministry had issued a set of guidelines in 2015 following a Supreme Court order to protect the good samaritans.

Also Read: Karnataka Government plans award to honour people who save accident victims

Comments

Ramprasad
 - 
Sunday, 30 Sep 2018

Should offer some money too. Then people may come as queue for helping

Suresh
 - 
Sunday, 30 Sep 2018

Many people including me hesitated to do help for accidents people  only because of the fear of facing legal sides/police procedings if anything happen to the victim

Rahul
 - 
Sunday, 30 Sep 2018

Loud applouse for Karnataka govt. This help to overcome the fear of offering help.

Danish
 - 
Sunday, 30 Sep 2018

Great initiative. People wont hesitate to help accident victims

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News Network
February 1,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 1: “1) Take necessary precautionary measures. 2) Don’t blindly believe in social media rumours.” These are the two important advisories issued by the authorities in Dakshina Kannada district in the wake of coronavirus scare.

According to DHO Dr Ramakrishna there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for coronavirus infection. Supportive care for infected people can be highly effective, but, there is no vaccine available for coronavirus.

In a health meeting, he advised people to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Following are some of the precautionary measures.

1) Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.

2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

3) Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

4) Stay home when you are sick, and cover your mouth when you cough or use a tissue while sneezing.

5) Throw the used tissue in the dustbin. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.

Deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said there is no need for people to panic about coronavirus.

Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO R Selvamani said IEC programmes will be held to create awareness on possibilities of spread of diseases.

He also advised people not to follow blindly the advisories being shared on social media, especially WhatsApp without proper verification.

“Posts on cures for coronavirus which are not scientifically proven are being shared on social media. Do not follow such advisories without verifying facts,” he said.

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News Network
June 23,2020

Bengaluru, June 23: A head constable from Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) committed suicide on board a bus after testing positive for COVID-19 in the city.

As per sources, the 50-year-old head constable had tested positive for coronavirus last evening and today he was being taken to a hospital in KSRP bus.

It is learned that he hanged himself to death inside the bus as there was no one else.

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News Network
July 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 5: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has asked officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements for COVID-19 patients must be carried out efficiently and transparently, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said.

"Karnataka is in a better position due to the efforts and hard work of ministers, doctors, officials and all staff. The cases have increased in Bengaluru and some other districts in last few days due to various reasons. We all have to work hard and contain the spread of virus," Dr Sudhakar told media on Saturday.

"Responsibilities related to policy formulation, preparation of guidelines, communication to media and management of war room have been assigned to me. Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan has been given the responsibility of managing COVID-19 care centres and Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Chief Minister's political secretary Vishvanath have been given the responsibility of managing private hospitals. The Chief Minister has instructed all of us to work in synergy," he said.

Dr Sudhakar said the matter of imposing lockdown in the state again was discussed in the task force meeting. "I and Deputy Chief Minister suggested that lockdown is not necessary at this stage. The Chief Minister will take a decision on this matter," he added.

Home Minister Basavar Bommai, Health Minister B Sriramulu, Revenue Minister R Ashoka and senior officials were present in the task force meeting.

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