Patna MP rescues 7-year-old begging to clear hospital bill

A 31-year-old woman from Bihar was held "captive" by a local hospital for around 12 days when her family failed to clear her medical bills amounting to Rs 70,000, after she delivered a stillborn baby at their facility. Humanity was shamed when her seven-year-old son was forced to beg on the streets to collect the money.

It was only after the intervention of Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav, that the woman, Lalita Devi, hailing from his constituency, was rescued on Sunday and an FIR was lodged against the hospital administration.

According to an official of the Patna Police, "The woman, who had developed some medical complications, was admitted to Maa Sheetla Emergency Hospital Private Limited on November 14, through an agent. Initially, her family was asked to cough up Rs 1.5 lakh, but later, the treatment cost was reduced to Rs 70,000. The agent, however, told Devi's husband Nirdhan Ram that he had to pay only Rs 25,000, which he deposited."

He added, "After the stillborn delivery, the doctors refused to cut the stitches and discharge Devi till the due amount is deposited. Her husband could manage some amount from his relatives, but for the remainder, their son took to begging."

The cop said their ordeal was brought to Yadav's notice by some Madhepura residents as well as through reports in local media. He intervened immediately and "rescued" the lady. Yadav even managed to get the hospital refund Rs 10,000 to Devi and dropped her home in an ambulance.

It may also be mentioned that the owner of the emergency hospital, Nisha Bharti, also posed as a doctor, despite having only a degree in nursing. "Even the hospital is not registered," the cop said. The state health department has also ordered a probe in the matter.

MP TO THE RESCUE

• After the intervention of Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav, Lalita Devi, mother of the 7-year-old, who had delivered a stillborn at the hosp, and hailed from his constituency, was rescued on Sunday and an FIR was lodged against the hospital administration.