Thiruvananthapuram: The State government has decided to provide free medical care to accident victims for the first 48 hours after they are admitted to hospitals. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday decided to execute a project titled ‘Trauma Care Project’ for this mission.

The government is focussing to ensure medical care to people injured in accidents without charging patients or their relatives.

Government will meet the expense of emergency medical care given to the injured person within 48 hours. This amount will be collected through insurance companies later.

Chief Minister will hold a discussion with insurance companies to prepare a detailed project. Health Minister KK Shylaja also attended the meeting chaired by Chief Minister.

“Treatment should not be denied to people who meet with accidents. Financial background of the people should not be taken into consideration while giving medical care. If the accident victim is taken to private hospital, government should meet the expense for primary medical care from the road safety fund,” said Chief Minister.

Government is planning to arrange ‘Trauma Care’ facility in all Government Medical Colleges, District Hospitals, Taluk Hospitals and important private hospitals in Kerala.

Special ambulance facility will be arranged to take accident victims to nearest hospital. The ambulance will be well equipped with modern amenities.

Applications will be invited from private agencies for this purpose. A special software will be developed to contact ambulance and select hospitals.