NHAI and HLL Lifecare Collaborate to Assist Accident Victims

In a significant move to strengthen incident management systems and provide timely assistance to accident victims on national highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HLL Lifecare Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW). The five-year agreement aims to reduce fatalities from road accidents and improve emergency medical response along the national highways.

Significance of the Collaboration

The collaboration between NHAI and HLL Lifecare underscores the government’s commitment to reducing road accident fatalities and improving emergency medical response along national highways. By leveraging HLL Lifecare’s expertise in healthcare and NHAI’s infrastructure, the agreement aims to save precious lives and provide timely assistance to accident victims.

Key Objectives of the MoU

1. Strengthen Incident Management System (IMS): The collaboration will help NHAI enhance its existing IMS, which includes ambulances, route patrol vans, cranes, real-time tracking, and supportive supervision. This will improve response time and facilitate the referral of accident victims to the nearest health facilities.
2. Operate and Manage Trauma Centres: HLL Lifecare will operate and manage Trauma Centres and Emergency Stabilization Centers to maximize assistance during the golden hour and improve health outcomes for accident victims.
3. Enhance National Highway Toll-Free Helpline: The agreement will strengthen services provided through the National Highway Toll-Free Helpline Number 1033, resulting in improved response time.

HLL Lifecare’s Role in the Collaboration

1. Comprehensive Geo-tagging and Mapping: HLL Lifecare will provide services for comprehensive geo-tagging, mapping, and engagement of health facilities and trauma centres across national highways to enhance emergency medical response by linking health facilities with ambulances.
2. Blueprint for Trauma Centre Investment: HLL Lifecare will create a blueprint for investment in trauma centres along national highways.
3. Operationalize State-of-the-Art Ambulance Services: HLL will operationalize and manage state-of-the-art ambulance services equipped with improvised ‘Basic Life Support’ at select locations on national highways. These ambulances will integrate technology for better communication, real-time tracking, and coordination.

Capacity Building and Training Initiatives

1. Toll Plaza Staff Training: HLL Lifecare will undertake training and orientation of toll plaza staff on new initiatives and provide basic life support training.
2. Capacity Building for Toll Plaza Staff: The collaboration will focus on improving the psychological, behavioral, and soft skills of toll plaza staff and provide stress management training.
3. Health Screening for Truckers and Highway Users: Health screening initiatives for truckers and highway users, including eye tests, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and oral cancer screening, will be organized at laybys and wayside amenities.
4. A Technical Support Unit will be established to provide supervision for various initiatives and coordinate with concerned NHAI officials for troubleshooting and effective implementation.

Road Accident Statistics in India

According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India witnessed 4,61,312 road accidents in 2022, resulting in 1,68,491 deaths and injuries to 4,43,366 people. These figures represent a year-on-year increase of 11.9%, 9.4%, and 5.3% in accidents, deaths, and injuries, respectively, compared to 2021.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2024