Without advance payment mandatory First Aid snake bite or dog or animal bite victims

The Government of Karnataka has issued a significant   Notification   to amend the Schedule of the   Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007  . This amendment is a major step forward in ensuring timely and essential medical care for victims of snake and animal bites across the state.

The key change is the insertion of a new sub-clause into the   Patients' Charter   under the heading   Patients Rights  . This new provision,   sub-clause (iia)  , places a strict obligation on   Every Private Medical Establishment  :

•  Mandatory First Aid:   Private hospitals must immediately administer   necessary first aid   and take   life-saving or stabilizing emergency measures   for all emergency cases involving   snake bite   or   dog or animal bite   victims.
•  No Advance Payment:   Crucially, this emergency treatment must be provided   without insisting on advance payment  . This removes a critical barrier that often delays or prevents victims from receiving immediate, life-saving care.

This means that if a person suffering from a snake or animal bite presents themselves or is brought to a private hospital, the hospital is legally bound to start treatment right away, regardless of the patient's ability to pay upfront. 

Private Medical Establishments are not left to bear the cost of this mandatory emergency care. The notification provides a clear mechanism for them to recover the expenses:

• Claim Eligibility:   The establishments will be eligible to claim reimbursement for the cost of the emergency measures.
• Claim Process:   The claim must be filed with the   State Government  , processed through the   District Registration and Grievance Authority  .
• Reimbursement Rates:   The claims will be paid at the rates admissible to   eligible patients under the SAST scheme  .

This mechanism ensures the financial sustainability of the mandate for private hospitals, balancing the need for immediate patient care with the operational costs of the establishments.

This amendment is a powerful affirmation of a patient's   Right to Life   and   Right to Health  , especially in critical emergency situations like snake or animal bites, which can be fatal if treatment is delayed.

• Immediate Relief:   Victims and their families can seek emergency care at the nearest private facility without the stress of arranging immediate funds.
• Accountability:   Private hospitals are now held accountable for providing this initial emergency care, which is often the difference between life and death.

By issuing this amendment, the Government of Karnataka is making a strong commitment to public health, transforming an ethical obligation into a legal mandate and ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of emergency medical care.