2018 was the year of big promises, with the Indian government announcing “the world’s largest government-funded health care programme”. The ban on e-pharmacies and creation of angel tax ensured that startups in the healthcare space were right in the centre of national deliberations and debates last year.

For the upcoming 2019-2020 Budget, I hope there is a focus on strengthening prehospital trauma care, by investing in more accident trauma centres and rescue teams across India. A vehicular accident is reported every 2 minutes and a death every 8 minutes on Indian roads. Given that India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents, it’s pertinent that we address the issue.

I urge the government to build the necessary infrastructure and set up trauma/paramedic teams along the highways to ensure that accident victims get swift medical attention within the golden hour, offering a higher chance of survival. Studies show that deaths due to trauma in India exceed those due to cancer and heart diseases combined.

The recently approved Allied Healthcare Professionals Bill 2018 is a step in the right direction. Regulating and standardising the education, training and services of allied healthcare professionals is critical, especially in the case of emergency care. I hope that the 2019-2020 Budget will take this journey forward.