Renowned cardiac surgeon and director of Fortis Hospital, Dr Vivek Jawali, is in the dock for allegedly charging ‘exorbitant’ fee from a patient, following which her medical reimbursement claim was rejected.
Renowned cardiac surgeon and director of Fortis Hospital, Dr Vivek Jawali, is in the dock for allegedly charging ‘exorbitant’ fee from a patient, following which her medical reimbursement claim was rejected.
Antonieta Riberieo Dsouza, a resident of South Goa, has accused Dr Jawali for not only charging an additional Rs2.9 lakh from her, but also for giving a false report to the Goa government, which resulted in the cancellation of her reimbursement.
Dsouza had filed a complaint with the Panaji police, which was transferred to JP Nagar police.
Dr Jawali had examined her in September, 2010, and recommended surgery. Dsouza reported at Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road on October 8, 2010, and got admitted, in a multi-bed room, after paying an advance deposit of Rs1.5 lakh. On October 10, she was made to sign on a discharge summary, but was asked to continue on the same bed. After surgery, she was discharged on October 23and handed over a bill of `4.36 lakh.
After returning to Goa, Dsouza applied for medical reimbursement with the Directorate of Health Service (DHS), Goa. The government rejected her claim on the grounds that she had taken a deluxe room, which is against the policy.
Dsouza checked with the hospital and found that she had been cheated. In her complaint, she said Dr Jawali had given her an estimate with a little variable amount of `2.9 lakh. Dr Jawali had also assured her that he would complete the pre- and post-operative care within the given budget, which includes, bed, surgery and medication charges, she said.
Though Fortis Hospital informed the DHS that Dsouza was given a deluxe room, the bill issued to her stated that she was given a multi-bed room.
Hospital’s version Meanwhile, Fortis Hospital spokesperson clarified that they had advised Dsouza that she would not be able to claim reimbursement, but she went ahead and availed the deluxe room by paying an advance amount of `4.5 lakh.
The spokesperson added that when Dsouza could not claim the reimbursement, she got agitated and filed police complaint. The hospital administration had given clarification to the police and is hopeful that the matter would be settled amicably.
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