ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the state of medical emergency response in India especially during disasters is not appropriate for various reasons, especially the inadequacy of laws. Given the weak structure of health service systems in the country especially for the poor, it is pertinent to focus on medical emergencies in a disaster scenario, especially during the stages of providing relief and long-term rehabilitation. Despite the comprehensive Disaster Management Act 2005, the rules for each component neither demand mandatory compliance nor provide teeth for implementation. From the past experience of Bhopal Gas disaster and the lessons learnt from other major disasters across the world, there is an urgent need to look into the medical emergency plans which could highlight the fact that many lives could be saved by improving medical preparedness and emergency response. There is need for an area of disaster medicine like the sport’s medicine and bring into effect legal sanctions which fix accountability and ensure service delivery to affected people.
