Jehangir Hospital faces allegations of holding patient hostage over bill

Initially, the hospital demanded Rs 1.40 lakh to begin the procedure. The patient underwent the angioplasty and was scheduled to be discharged on April 1. However, his family was stunned when the final bill came to Rs 5.71 lakh, which included Rs 1.50 lakh as doctors' fees alone. They pleaded with the hospital to consider the case under the charity patient scheme, but the hospital reportedly refused and made it clear that discharge would only be possible after full payment.

Speaking to Pune Times Mirror, the patient stated, “Despite having a poverty certificate, the hospital refused to provide treatment under the charity patient scheme. Because it was an emergency, we paid Rs. 1.40 lakh, and only then did the hospital start my treatment. But later, it held up my discharge for three days.” As the family struggled to arrange the money, they sought help from the Rugna Hakka Parishad, a patient rights group. The Parishad wrote to Koregaon Park police, prompting officers to intervene. The hospital had also received a call from the Charity Commissioner’s office before the Parishad’s intervention, but allegedly chose to ignore it.

“At the time of admission, the family informed the hospital that they were eligible for the charity patient scheme. However, the hospital clearly stated that the treatment would start only after Rs. 1.40 lakh was deposited. Since it was a heart-related issue, the family managed to collect the money from their relatives and friends to pay the hospital,” said Umesh Chavan, founder and chairman of Rugna Hakka Parishad.

Chavan stated that usually the Charity Commissioner is approached with such complaints, and then they seek help from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. However, in some cases, if the hospital is not willing to cooperate, the Rugna Hakka Parishad goes on a protest in front of the hospital. Following the police inquiry, the hospital relented and discharged the patient on April 4. Chavan also pointed out that the angioplasty procedure cannot cost more than Rs. 2 lakh, but shockingly, the hospital handed him an exorbitant bill of Rs. 5.71 lakh, which might be an instance of Jehangir Hospital’s administration taking advantage of patients.

Explaining the hospital’s stance on the matter, Aarti Irani, Public Relations Officer, Jehangir Hospital, told the Daily, “The patient underwent an emergency angioplasty on Sunday evening. On Friday, the patient was scheduled for discharge, but his relatives informed that they were short of money to pay the bill and were arranging for the same. The patient was discharged with an outstanding amount the next day. He was not held hostage. They have given a letter stating that they do not have any issues with the hospital and doctors at the time of discharge.”