Twitter
Advertisement

There's need to lay down guidelines for hospitals: Bombay high court

Latest News
article-main
The SevenHills Multi Super Speciality Hospital in Andheri
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Expressing displeasure over a multi-specialty hospital in Andheri detaining a patient over not paying a disputed bill amount, a division bench of justices VM Kanade and PD Kode of the Bombay high court said it was necessary to lay down proper guidelines for hospitals.

The bench was hearing a petition by Sanjay Prajapati (25), whose brother was allegedly detained at SevenHills Hospital after being treated for a head injury in March. They had disputed the bill amount.
"Hospitals are mercilessly detaining patients without caring for them or their families," remarked justice Kanade.

The judges also remarked that such disputes left patients and their relatives bitter. The court felt there should be transparency in the billing system to enable patients (and their families) to have an idea how much they would have to pay in order to prevent disputes.

"There is no transparency in hospital dealings," remarked justice Kanade. Hence there is a need to lay down standard guidelines for hospitals to follow, the judges said.

The Indian Medical Council had filed an affidavit on an earlier occasion saying it did not have control over all hospitals and hence could not take any step.

SevenHills Hospital had informed the HC last month that they had discharged the patient.

According to the petition, Prajapati's brother Chinku suffered head injuries after a fall at home on March 29, and was admitted to SevenHills Hospital where he was operated on.

Prajapati later wrote to the CEO of the hospital alleging improper treatment and bogus billings, but got no response. Finding no improvement in his brother's condition, he decided to shift him elsewhere, but the hospital refused to discharge the patient till the disputed bills were cleared.

Prajapati had deposited Rs 2.76 lakh of the total bill of Rs 4.56 lakh. According to the hospital, Prajapati had to pay a balance of Rs 1.8.

According to the petition, the (surgeon's) visiting fee was charged even when the surgeon was on leave. The staff also behaved badly with them as they were poor, alleged the petition.

The petitioner has sought that MIDC police, Andheri be directed to take action against doctors and staff of SevenHills Hospital for wrongfully confining his brother over a disputed bill.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement