Punjab Government on Thursday issued instructions to all hospitals, public or private, whether run by Central Government, State Government, local bodies or any other person to provide first aide or medical treatment free of cost to all acid attack and rape victims An official spokesman said that instructions had been issued to all hospitals to immediately provide treatment besides informing the police about such incidents.
He said that these instructions had been issued after the orders of Supreme Court of India that had focused on adopting measures for prompt treatment for care and rehabilitation of victims.
He said accordingly amendments have been made through Criminal law Amendment Act-2013 in CrPc in which it has been made mandatory that for victims of any offence covered under sections 326 A (acid attack victim) 376 (Rape Victims) 376-A, 376-B, 376-C, 376-D, 376-E (all relating to rape) of IPC, it has also been made mandatory for all hospitals to provide free treatment besides informing the police.
All civil surgeons have been asked to ensure compliance of these orders in their respective districts and submit the compliance report to Principal Secretary (Health).