The central government is soon to reach out to all the states and union territories in the country with financial assistance under the Pilot Project for upgradation and strengthening of emergency facilities of state hospitals of towns and cities located on National Highways. As per the project, a financial assistance to a maximum amount of Rs 1.5 crore or actual requirement whichever is less, is to be given to the states to augment the accident and emergency services offered by it. While 13 states have already received the amount, 10 others are awaiting sanctions from the Union Ministry. The ministry has till date sanctioned Rs 18.94 crore for the purpose.

The amount is being used for the purchase of well-equipped ambulance and basic essential equipment required for accident and trauma services. Development of communication system and infrastructure facilities like blood bank, examination room, resuscitation, ICU and Burn Bed, X-Ray room, reception, minor OT etc will also come under the pilot project.

According to official records, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are the states who have already received the funds. Among the states, Bihar has been the biggest beneficiary of the project with four sanctions to its credit. The state received Rs 53 lakh for modernizing and updating the Indira Gandhi Central Emergency Unit of Patna Medical College Hospital, Rs 1.5 crore to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna for the establishment of a trauma center, Rs 1.5 crore for up gradation and strengthening of emergency facilities at Model Bikram Referral Centre with Highway Trauma Centre at Patna and Rs 62.71 lakh for upgradation and strengthening of Trauma Services at Aunsi, Madhubani district.