Synopsis by enewstime: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the scheme’s role in saving lives during the critical “golden hour”—the first 60 minutes after a road mishap. While the program has earned praise for reducing financial barriers and boosting emergency care, experts urge the government to complement it with stricter road safety regulations to prevent accidents in the first place.
Guwahati (Assam) July 1, 2025: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that since its rollout on May 30 last year, the state’s ‘Golden Hour’ emergency response scheme has facilitated cashless treatment for 2,657 individuals injured in road accidents.
The scheme is designed to provide immediate, life-saving medical attention within the first hour of an accident—the crucial “golden hour”—and covers treatment costs up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a period of seven days. A total of 46 empanelled hospitals across Assam are part of this initiative.
By directly covering hospital expenses, the program ensures that accident victims receive essential trauma care without facing financial stress.
Till date, the government has spent ₹2.7 crore on treatments under the scheme, helping ensure swift medical support in all districts. The initiative is based on the principle that timely medical response in the first 60 minutes post-accident can dramatically improve survival chances.
Sharing the update on social media platform X, CM Sarma remarked, “Utilising the Golden Hour to Save Lives!” highlighting the scheme’s effectiveness in emergency healthcare delivery.
He further noted that the scheme is a key component of the government’s broader agenda to enhance emergency medical infrastructure and lower the number of deaths resulting from road accidents—an issue that causes thousands of fatalities every year in Assam.
All 46 partner hospitals are equipped with specialised trauma care units, offering immediate stabilization, surgical procedures, and intensive care as required.
The government has also simplified administrative procedures to eliminate delays, enabling hospitals to begin treatment right away without waiting for prior payments.
CM Sarma reiterated that each road accident victim is eligible for up to Rs 1.5 lakh in cashless treatment for seven days, with access to services at any of the 46 designated hospitals.
The initiative has earned commendation from medical experts and road safety advocates, who believe it could serve as a blueprint for other states to follow.
However, some have voiced concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of the scheme and have called for more stringent road safety laws and preventive measures to reduce accident rates.
Given the state’s high incidence of road mishaps, the ‘Golden Hour’ scheme stands out as a crucial step in reducing fatalities and reinforcing the value of rapid medical intervention.
The ‘Golden Hour’ scheme represents a vital stride in strengthening Assam’s emergency healthcare infrastructure and addressing the alarming rate of road accident fatalities.
As the state continues to refine the program, integrating robust road safety measures and ensuring its financial sustainability will be key to its long-term success. (Edited)
