Chennai, Dec 18 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday launched the 'Innuyir Kaappom' scheme with an aim to save accident victims during the golden hour.

Under the scheme, the state government will bear the medical treatment expenses of road accident victims during the first 48 hours of the accident.

The scheme that offers 81 recognised life saving procedures worth up to Rs 1 lakh will cover victims of road accidents in Tamil Nadu.

The road accident victims can be from Tamil Nadu or from other places, including foreign countries, but the accidents should have happened in the state.

The scheme is being implemented in 609 hospitals - both government and private.

In case the road accident victim continues to be unstable after 48 hours, anyone of the following action could be taken:

* If the victim is covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), then treatment in the same hospital can be continued.

* If the road accident victim is not covered under the above scheme or any other insurance scheme, then after stabilisation of his/her health condition, the person will be admitted to a government hospital and treated free of cost.

* In case the accident victim is not willing to go to a government hospital and is willing to pay for hospitalisation from his/her own pocket or has a health insurance cover, he/she can continue treatment at the same hospital or be shifted to a hospital of his/her choice.