The Pune Municipal Company (PMC) on Friday issued orders to all personal hospitals, nursing properties, and medical institutions inside its jurisdiction stating that on no account, useless our bodies needs to be held hostage over unpaid payments or different causes.
A present trigger discover was issued to Poona Hospital on April 28, for allegedly mishandling and holding the useless physique of a deceased affected person for eight hours, stated the officers. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)
“In case of a patient’s death, after completing the necessary medico-legal procedures, the body must be handed over to the relatives. In no circumstances should the body be withheld for non-payment of dues or any other reason,” stated Dr Suryakant Devkar, assistant well being officer of PMC.
The letter issued by PMC’s well being division acknowledged that non-public hospitals and nursing properties inside PMC’s jurisdiction are granted registration underneath the provisions of the Bombay Nursing Properties Act, 1949. Registration renewal can also be issued after the stipulated interval. Nevertheless, following the norms talked about within the Act is necessary.
Earlier, on April 7 PMC had issued a present trigger discover to Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, searching for an evidence for allegedly holding the useless physique of a 54-year-old deceased affected person hostage for eight hours, as a result of non-payment of the medical payments by the affected person’s household.
Equally, a present trigger discover was issued to Poona Hospital on April 28, for allegedly mishandling and holding the useless physique of a deceased affected person for eight hours, stated the officers.
As per the provisions of The Bombay Nursing Properties Act, 1949 and the Authorities of Maharashtra notification dated January 14, 2021, it’s anticipated that hospital administration offers courteously with all sufferers. “Through this letter, you are hereby informed that it is mandatory for your nursing home, hospital to strictly follow all the instructions under The Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949 and the Government of Maharashtra notification dated 14th January 2021, especially Rule No. 11 (j) and (l) from the said notification,’ read the letter.
Dr Nina Borade, health chief of PMC, emphasised that according to the Nursing Home Act and its amended regulations, all healthcare institutions are required to provide basic life-saving treatment to critical patients as a priority, regardless of their financial situation.
“In the event of a patient’s death, after completing the necessary medico-legal procedures, the body must be returned to the relatives. In no circumstances should the body be withheld due to non-payment of dues or for any other reason. In such cases, stern action will be taken by the PMC,” she added.
Dr Sanjay Patil, nationwide secretary, Hospital Board of India, stated, “There is a clause in the Nursing Home Act that dead bodies cannot be held hostage for the unpaid bill. All hospitals in the city follow the rules. If such cases happen, it must be due to misunderstandings. Such incidents come to light when a misunderstanding between the hospital administration and the patient’s relative happens.”