Jehangir Hospital faces allegations of holding patient hostage over bill
Standardized Format for Hospital Billing
Pune: Jehangir Hospital has been accused of detaining a 69-year-old patient for three days over an unpaid bill of Rs. 5.71 lakh for an angioplasty, despite the patient providing proof of financial hardship. The hospital allegedly refused to discharge the patient as the patient’s family could not pay the bill.
The patient, a resident of Lohegaon, was admitted to Jehangir Hospital on March 30, 2025, for an angioplasty. With an annual income of just Rs. 70,000, the patient had a government-issued poverty certificate from the Tahsildar’s office confirming his economic condition. His financial situation has been further strained due to recent family expenses, including his daughters' weddings and the construction of a modest home.
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.
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.”
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