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‘Bodies can’t be withheld by hospitals over bills’
Private hospitals in the national capital “cannot hold hostage” bodies of patients, who have died during treatment there, even if families are unable to pay the due bills before the last rites, according to a draft advisory proposed by the Delhi government.
New Delhi: Private hospitals in the national capital “cannot hold hostage” bodies of patients, who have died during treatment there, even if families are unable to pay the due bills before the last rites, according to a draft advisory proposed by the Delhi government.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, however, said the proposal does not imply that the bills would be waived, and hospitals can take legal action in case the payments are not made later by the families. Proposals have also been made on bill reduction in case of death of patients in less than 24 hours from time of admission.
“If a patient dies in the emergency room or casualty department of the hospital, within six hours of his/her arrival, then the hospital shall waive 50 per cent of the total bill, and in case of 24 hours, 20 per cent of the bill should be waived,” it added.
Addressing a press conference here today, Jain said. “Body of any deceased patient cannot be forcibly withheld by a hospital and denied to the family for want of payment of due bills. There has to be dignity in death”.
A body cannot be held hostage just for bills. After death, a body belongs to the society, and final rites must be performed.”
The draft advisory has been prepared on the basis of recommendations of a nine-member expert panel, headed by Director-General of Health Services Kirti Bhushan, which was set up by the Arvind Kejriwal government on December 13 last year, after allegations of excessive charges and unfair employment practices by a few private facilities were reported.
“The draft has been put in public domain, inviting suggestions and objections for a period of 30 days. After that, we will implement the policy with revisions,” Jain said.
