We see in some movies where hospital charges huge money by keeping dead patient in ICU. In some cases, doctors know that the patient can’t be saved but still they keep them in ICU and loot innocent people money.
But in reality, the same kind of act happened in Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurgaon). They charged almost Rs 18 lakhs for 15 days in the ICU from the family of a 7-year old dengue patient knowing that they couldn’t save the child.
Most of the times, this kind of acts won’t come to public notice. However, the matter was brought to light by a colleague of the girl’s father. Thanks to the ever growing social media platforms like Twitter which helps in bringing out this issues before the public.
One of my batchmate’s 7 year old was in @fortis_hospital for ~15 days for Dengue. Billed 18 lakhs including for 2700 gloves. She passed away at the end of it. Corrupt assholes.
— D (@DopeFloat) November 17, 2017
He shared the bill and other details over Twitter. And of course, it attracted many people.
This is what happened
Adya, a Class II student developed very high fever on August 27. Two days later when the fever did not abate, her family had taken her to Rockland Hospital in Dwarka. However, her condition worsened and Rockland suggested child father to take her to a bigger hospital. On August 31, the family took her to Fortis Hospital in Gurgaon.
For dengue, the 7-year-old was pumped with 660 syringes which average out to 40 syringes per day, for dengue! And for 2700 gloves, they were charged a whopping ₹17,142 .
- Admission Charge – Rs 1250
- Blood Bank – Rs 61, 315
- Diagnostics – Rs 29, 290
- Doctor charges – Rs 53, 900
- Drugs – Rs 3, 96, 732.48
- Equipment Charge – Rs 71,000
- Investigations – Rs 2, 17, 594
- Medical and Surgical Procedures – Rs 2, 85, 797
- Medical Consumables – Rs 2, 73, 394
- Miscellaneous – Rs 15, 150
- Room Rent – Rs 1, 74,000
- Discount – Rs 20,000
- Total Bill – Rs 15, 79, 322.48
More facts since people asked for it. Read thread and see snaps.
1. Charged for a whopping 660 syringes. They pumped a 7 year old with an average of ~40 syringes a day. Parents kept insisting on MRI/CT Scan to check if she was even alive since she was on ventilator since day 5 pic.twitter.com/NvZKQgp9Pj
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
Initially doctors used a medicine that costs ₹500 and then realized that family is not protesting much. So pumped up to another brand which apparently did the same job but costs ₹3100 per piece.
Started with Meropenem at INR 500 per strip, then realized the family is not protesting much, so pumped up to another brand at 7 times the price. pic.twitter.com/092fUXL12P
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
The hospital charged ₹200 for sugar strips that are available at their own website at ₹13.
Sugar strips – available at INR 13/strip on (Tada!) – Fortis Healthcare Website – billed at INR 200 per strip. pic.twitter.com/TpNMvYtINh
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
“On September 14, when an MRI was finally conducted and it revealed extensive damage to the brain, the doctors gave up. We decided to then take her to another hospital but doctors refused to even facilitate an ambulance.”, said the family members.
On 15th November, the child had passed away but the hospital refused to allow the parents to see their daughter while in ICU.
Doctors kept refusing and delaying scans citing ventilator despite repeated requests. CT scans are possible with ventilator. When the finally did, the brain damage was extensive.
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
Adya’s father said, “Her body had swollen up due to the illness and they asked the hospital to allow her to leave in the patient’s gown. But, they made us pay for that too”
Hospital refusing to provide a daily breakup till date
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
In addition to this shock, Adya’s mother Deepti had a miscarriage of 6-week fetus due to the insensitive approach of the hospital staff. Adya’s parents have lost an unborn child too.
The whole report will make you angry as well as break your heart.
1. Fortis refused discharge or death certificate
If you think this was bad – read on. Worst yet to come.
After days of protest and bills piling up, Fortis refused discharge or death certificate. Technically, until the ventilator is on, the heart pumps and patient is not dead.
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
2. How can a doctor does this?
As a side conversation, they recommended a full body plasma transplant (~15-20 LAKH PROCEDURE) despite CT scan declaring 70% + brain damage. When the family asked the rationale when the case was already hopeless, they said the rest of the organs may recover
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
3. Isn’t this a brutal act?
When the family disagreed, Fortis refused to release the patient, forced family to sign a “Leave-Against-Medical-Advice” form, and refused to provide ambulance since that would record a Dengue death at Fortis.
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
4. Whaat!
The final hospital declared the girl brought dead, thus apparently helping Fortis absolve their duties. As a closing stroke, after the family cleared the massive bills, Fortis asked the family to go back and pay for the gown the kid was wearing since her clothes wont fit. (Close)
— D (@DopeFloat) November 19, 2017
“The government must act against them so that no hospital deals with its patients like this again.”, said the father of the child who had taken a loan of ₹5 lakhs for the treatment of his daughter.
And this is what Fortis Hospital replied on that thread
Dear Sir, please enable us with the patient details and Fortis facility name for investigating the case. Please be assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out and the outcomes will be shared with you. (1/2)
— Fortis Healthcare (@fortis_hospital) November 18, 2017
You may share your details directly at [email protected] (2/2)
— Fortis Healthcare (@fortis_hospital) November 18, 2017
Union health minister J P Nadda on Monday assured that he will take necessary action. And let’s see.
Please provide me details on [email protected] .We will take all the necessary action. https://t.co/dq273L66cK
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) November 20, 2017
It clearly says that the carelessness and casual nature of the hospital is what led to the death of the poor child. This is really unbearable pain. We wish that Adya’s family stays strong during this difficult time.
Isn’t this atrocious? Did you also face this kind of similar act? Share us in the comments. Couple of days back, a guy found a 5 days old girl and with the help of Twitter and Mumbai Police, he saved.
