In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the rights of survivors, the Rajasthan health department has issued a strict directive to all medical facilities across the state. The order mandates that both government and private hospitals must provide immediate and completely free treatment to victims of acid attacks, without turning them away.
Immediate First Aid and Stabilization Mandatory
The directive, which was officially issued on December 29, leaves no room for ambiguity. It states that any hospital where an acid attack victim first seeks help must administer crucial first aid and ensure the patient is fully stabilized. Only after this primary care can the patient be referred or transferred to a more specialized facility for advanced treatment and reconstructive surgeries.
The government has made it clear that free treatment encompasses a comprehensive range of services. This includes not just clinical care and consultations, but also all necessary medicines, hospital bed charges, and even food for the patient during their stay.
Strict Action for Non-Compliance Under BNSS
A senior official from the health department emphasized the seriousness of the directive. "All government and private hospitals are directed to ensure complete compliance with the said guidelines," the official stated. The warning is clear: if any hospital refuses to treat victims of acid attacks or other violent crimes, or if they disregard these guidelines, action will be taken against the concerned hospital or clinic as per the rules under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Samhita (BNSS) provisions.
This legal backing adds substantial weight to the order, ensuring that hospitals cannot ignore their responsibility towards these critical patients.
Certificate for Further Treatment and Schemes
An important procedural step introduced by the directive is the requirement for the first-attending hospital to issue an official certificate. This document must confirm that the individual was indeed a victim of an acid attack.
This certificate serves a vital purpose for the survivor's long-term recovery. It can be used to:
- Access further specialized treatment and reconstructive surgeries at other facilities.
- Avail of various government schemes and financial assistance programs that survivors are entitled to.
This measure is designed to streamline the process for survivors, reducing bureaucratic hurdles during an immensely traumatic time and ensuring they receive the continuum of care they need and deserve.
The Rajasthan government's directive marks a crucial step in strengthening the healthcare response to gender-based and violent crimes, putting the immediate medical and psychological needs of acid attack survivors at the forefront.
