GoK mandates free emergency treatment for animal/snake bites across Pvt &Govt Hospitals

A crucial and well-received step has been announced by the Government of Karnataka (GoK) and the Health Department. This initiative, spurred by a Supreme Court directive, significantly enhances emergency care access and accountability for dog/animal and snake bite victims.

To understand this better , here is a summary, the impact, and the operational steps forward based on the circular and the amendment notification.

📝 Summary of the Initiative

The Government of Karnataka has issued a Govt Order as well as Circular and a Notification (click for the document) to ensure assured, free, and timely emergency treatment for victims of dog/animal bites and snake bites across both Government and Private Hospitals.

* Mandatory Stock: All hospitals (Government and Private) must maintain a mandatory stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccines (ARV), Immunoglobulin, and Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) at all times.

* Supreme Court & Notifiable Disease: The initiative is in response to a Supreme Court direction and recognizes Rabies as a notifiable disease.

* Emergency Care Without Pre-Payment: Private medical establishments must administer necessary First Aid and lifesaving/stabilizing emergency measures in these cases without insisting on advance payment.

* Free First-Aid and Screening: Every hospital must provide immediate medical screening and first-aid at free of cost.

* Reimbursement Mechanism: Hospitals are eligible to be reimbursed for the costs incurred in treating these victims by the District Registration and Grievance Authority, at rates admissible under the SAST (Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust) Scheme. This reimbursement mechanism is officially included in the Patient's Charter under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007 (amendment).

🚀 Impact and Significance

This government action creates a robust and humane emergency response system, significantly benefiting the public and ensuring accountability.

👥 Public Impact and Improved Safety

* Universal Access to Life-Saving Treatment: The most significant impact is guaranteeing uniform access to life-saving treatment for all bite victims, regardless of their ability to pay or the type of health facility they approach (Public or Private).

* Immediate Care: Mandating that private hospitals provide necessary first aid and stabilizing measures without advance payment eliminates critical delays, which are often fatal in cases of snake bites or severe animal bites.

* Progress Towards "Zero Rabies Deaths": By ensuring timely and free administration of ARV and Immunoglobulin, the state moves closer to the national and global goal of "Zero Human Deaths due to Dog-Mediated Rabies by 2030".

🤝 Stronger Response System (Public-Private Involvement)

* Shared Responsibility: The circular explicitly places the duty to stock life-saving drugs (ARV, Immunoglobulin, ASV) and provide emergency care on every head of both Government and Private Medical Establishments. This expands the emergency safety net across the entire healthcare infrastructure.

* Stabilization and Transfer: Hospitals without the requisite facilities/personnel must still provide treatment to minimize risks and stabilize the patient before issuing a transfer to the nearest appropriate hospital. This ensures no patient is turned away without initial care.

* Financial Security for Hospitals: The provision for reimbursement at SAST rates allows private hospitals to provide care without financial risk, making their participation sustainable and mandatory.

⚖️ Accountability and Responsibility for Negligence

* Laying down Stringent Responsibility: The circular clearly establishes serious consequences for non-compliance.

* Medical Negligence and Criminal Proceedings: If an offence under the Act leads to the death of a snake bite or animal bite victim, it will be considered a case of medical negligence.

* Penalties: Such negligence may attract criminal proceedings under Section 106 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita, 2023, leading to imprisonment up to two years.

* License Revocation: The District Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority can also revoke the license of a medical establishment in cases of serious or repeated negligence of obligatory duty.

🪜 Operational Steps Forward

🏥 For Medical Establishments (Public and Private)

* Mandatory Stocking: Immediately ensure and maintain mandatory stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccines, Immunoglobulin, and ASV at all times.

* Protocol Compliance: Adhere to the protocol for administering Anti-Rabies Vaccine and one-time equine rabies immunoglobulin for dog/animal bites.

* No Advance Payment for Emergencies: Provide necessary first aid and life-saving measures in snake/animal bite emergencies without insisting on advance payment.

* Stabilization and Transfer: For hospitals lacking facilities, implement a clear protocol to stabilize the patient and issue a transfer to a well-equipped facility.

* Reimbursement Claim: Initiate procedures to claim reimbursement of expenses for treating dog/snake bite victims from the District Registration and Grievance Authority at the SAST Scheme rates.

📜 For Government Authorities

* Gazette Publication: Publish the amendment notification in the Extra-ordinary Gazette.

* Notification of Cases: Ensure all dog/animal bite cases are notified to the concerned authorities, as Rabies is a notifiable disease.

* Grievance and Reimbursement System: Operationalize the District Registration and Grievance Authority to efficiently handle reimbursement claims and address grievances related to negligence.

* Dissemination: Ensure the circular and its directives are effectively communicated to all concerned officers and medical establishments.