VIJAYAWADA, April 16: State Minister for Medical, Health and Family Welfare Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday stressed that timely medical intervention in the critical first hour following a road accident could significantly improve the chances of saving lives, and called for collective responsibility in making Andhra Pradesh a accident-free State.

The Minister was speaking at a State-level stakeholders' consultation on the PM RAHAT — Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment — scheme, held at the Dr. NTR Health University auditorium here. He described the Central government's scheme as playing a pivotal role in ensuring that accident victims receive emergency medical care without financial burden, offering cashless treatment up to Rs. 1.50 lakh with no requirement of advance payment.

Underlining the need for seamless coordination among all departments for the effective implementation of the scheme across the State, the Minister called upon hospitals, ambulance services, police, and other concerned agencies to work in close tandem to ensure that victims receive immediate assistance. He directed officials to create widespread public awareness about the scheme and emphasised that every hospital must have a thorough understanding of its provisions.

Expressing concern over the toll that road accidents take on families, the Minister noted that the loss of a breadwinner not only devastates a household financially but also jeopardises the future of children. He identified overspeeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, black spots on roads, and vehicles crossing dividers unexpectedly as the primary causes of accidents in the State.

The Minister said that the Golden Hour protocol was being effectively implemented through the 108 ambulance service, with the success rate of saving lives during the critical first hour having improved considerably compared to earlier. He also highlighted the ongoing implementation of the STEMI programme for cardiac emergencies, through which thousands of lives had been saved. He further informed that 14 Critical Care Blocks had been constructed across the State, with work on additional blocks under way.

18,380 Road Accidents Recorded in 2025

Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Saurabh Gaur revealed that approximately 18,380 road accidents were recorded in the State in 2025, the majority of which occurred on National and State Highways and major roads. Overspeeding was identified as the primary cause, accounting for 79 per cent of all accidents, with wrong-side driving, drunk driving, and mobile phone use also cited as significant contributing factors. The highest number of accidents were recorded between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., he said.

He added that the government was integrating public and private hospitals to ensure emergency medical care during the Golden Hour, and that Trauma Care Centres were being established at every 100-kilometre interval to improve accessibility of medical services.

130 Black Spots Identified in NTR District

NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha said that approximately 130 accident-prone black spots had been identified in the district, with special measures being taken at 27 critical locations. The district administration has set a target of reducing accidents by 50 per cent over the next year. He also spoke of efforts to encourage Good Samaritans — citizens who voluntarily transport accident victims to hospitals — and said that monthly road safety committee meetings were being held to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

The event was attended by Traffic DCP N. Suryachandraro, Joint Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao, Director of Medical Education Dr. Raghanandana Rao, and representatives of various hospitals.