Controversy in Vadodara: Hospital Refuses Body Release Over Unpaid Bills
On the 26th of August, a newborn child, who was in critical condition, was admitted to the hospital by the family with an initial payment of Rs. 5 lakhs for treatment. However, despite two months of care, the child unfortunately passed away. After settling the remaining bill of Rs. 3.98 lakhs, the family informed the hospital authorities about the demise of the child. This led to uproar and commotion among the family members. Subsequently, the police were called to the private hospital where the incident occurred. The situation escalated, and there was a chaotic scene at the hospital after the body was handed over by the hospital authorities following the intense commotion.
On Tuesday evening, tragedy struck as the child born to Ashokbhai Vanjhara, a resident of Kathlal, passed away at the private hospital in Godhra. The newborn was delivered on the 26th of the month. The child had been receiving care at the hospital since birth due to deteriorating health. The family had paid Rs. 5 lakhs for the child’s treatment in an attempt to save the child’s life. However, the child succumbed to death on Tuesday evening around 5 o’clock at the hospital.
The situation turned tense until late at night when the hospital authorities handed over the deceased child’s body to his father, Ashokbhai Vanjhara, without taking any remaining amount from him. After the incident escalated, the family members took the body and returned to their hometown. Chaos ensued outside the hospital until late at night. Traffic on the nearby road was also disrupted due to the commotion.
The deceased child’s father, Ashokbhai Vanjhara, mentioned that if local people hadn’t arrived, the hospital authorities wouldn’t have handed over my son’s body without settling the bill. My child passed away at 5 o’clock. However, due to non-payment of the bill, the hospital did not release the body. The hospital had generated a bill of Rs. 8.50 lakhs, out of which we had already paid Rs. 5 lakhs. The remaining amount of Rs. 3.98 lakhs was not paid as the hospital did not hand over the child’s body.
The body was not released, Lotus Hospital’s pediatric Dr. Hemang Mendapara had informed that if the locals had not come, the hospital authorities would not have handed over the body of my child without settling the bill. My child died at 5 o’clock. However, due to non-payment of the bill, the hospital did not release the body. The total bill amounted to Rs. 8.50 lakhs. We had paid Rs. 5 lakhs. The remaining amount of Rs. 3.98 lakhs was not paid as the hospital did not hand over the child’s body. We were informed that when there is a dispute, we have to give a written statement. But they were not ready to give the written statement. We had demanded a statement every year, six months, and in three months. When I asked to see the statement, the hospital asked me to have a paper with me. I told them to write the statement, it would not mean that I would pay the amount immediately.
