Abhay Rangnekar, director of the Life Saver Cards India Private Limited, said accidents could happen to anyone and at any time, and in such situations, it is very useful if the treating doctor knows basic medical details about the person. Accordingly, the card contains details like blood group, chronic illnesses the person suffers from, present medication, drug allergies, the name and number of the family doctor and the name of the perferred hospital for treatment, information which neither credit cards nor visting cards provide.

The card also contains the person's residential address, telephone number and officenumber of the person, he said. Names and local contact numbers in three cities that the person most frequently visits are also mentioned, informed Ranganekar.

The lifesaver card is of the size of a credit card, and costs Rs 100. Efforts are also on to tie up with private companies so that corporate employees can be provided the cards, which will also act as a guarantee in case the person needs to be hospitalised. And on a trail basis, 2,000 doctors in various cities have been provided the cards to popularise them among their patients.

Rangnekar claimed that the cards had received a good response in the last couple of months. Those interested in obtaining a lifesaver card can call Rangnekar on 4465571, 4453985 or 4455172 or fax on 4449778.