Private hospital demanded Rs 2 lakh to release woman’s body, alleges family

A family has accused a private hospital in Kangra district of demanding Rs 2 lakh to release the body of a woman who died during treatment. The hospital has denied the allegation saying the patient was brought in with a critical heart condition.

The woman’s relative, Vijay Singh, said he took his aunt to Apex Hospital and Heart Care Center yesterday after another private hospital in Indora referred her here. Singh alleged that doctors told the family she needed  stent procedure and explained the expected costs. He said the procedure lasted around two to two-and-a-half hours, after which the woman was shifted to the coronary care unit (CCU).

He alleged that her condition later deteriorated and the hospital demanded Rs 2 lakh when the family sought to take her body after her death. The hospital has rejected the allegation. Cardiologist Dr Amit Verma  told The North News that the woman arrived at around 11 am with chest pain and was diagnosed with an inferior wall myocardial infarction, a type of heart attack on Sunday.

He said she was diabetic and had low haemoglobin and elevated creatinine levels. Angiography showed severe blockages in all three major coronary arteries including a complete blockage in one artery, about 90% in another and 70-80% in the third.

Dr Verma said the family had been informed about the patient’s critical condition and the risks associated with the procedure before giving consent. He said the patient was shifted to the CCU after about three hours of treatment and was able to speak to her family.

About 30 minutes later, she suffered a cardiac arrest, he said. Doctors performed CPR and put her on a ventilator, but she died between 4:05pm and 4:10pm.Dr Verma also denied the family’s allegation that he left the hospital after the woman’s death. He said he remained at the hospital until around 8pm and that the family was kept informed about her condition.

Kangra Chief Medical Officer Dr Omesh Bharti said the Health Department had learnt about the allegations through the media but had not received a formal complaint.

He said action under the Clinical Establishments Act could be considered if a complaint was submitted and the allegations were investigated.

Dr Bharti said hospitals were required to follow ethical guidelines. He added that complaints about alleged unethical practices could also be made to the police or under consumer protection laws.