HC Directs Hospitals Not To Withheld Patients Hostages For Unpaid Bills

 

The Delhi High Court has directed that hospitals cannot hold patients "hostage" over unpaid bills and dues.

Denouncing the way of withholding custody of patients, a bench of Justices said that, "If the bills are not paid, then the patient can be released and cannot be kept as a hostage. Furthermore, even if dues are outstanding, the patients cannot be withheld to extract money towards unpaid bills".

The ruling came after a patient's son approached the court claiming that a hospital was holding his father hostage over outstanding dues of Rs 13.45 lakhs since February. He had also alleged that the hospital was not giving proper treatment to his father. The hospital opposed the petitioner's contentions and claimed that he had raised the grievance as the patient was shifted to the general ward from private ward due to non- payment of dues.

Meanwhile, the court directed the hospital to prepare the discharge summary of the patient and allowed his son, to take his father forthwith from the hospital.

Source: The Hindu