Hosp treated just 4 poor patients in lockdown: HC told
MUMBAI: Despite reserving 20 per cent of its beds for poor and needy persons, a charitable hospital here had treated only four such patients- three in May and another in Juneduring the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Bombay High Court has been told.
However, it is not clear whether these patients were infected by coronavirus.
The state charity commissioner revealed this detail in an affidavit following a probe into an alleged incident of K J Somaiya Hospital charging Rs 12.5 lakh from some ''poor'' patients for COVID-19 treatment.
However, the affidavit also stated the petitioners- seven residents of an SRA building in suburban Bandra- have not disclosed their income status, supported by any documentary evidence, which would make them eligible for free treatment.
The petitioners have sought refund of hospital bills.
During the inquiry, the hospital contended the government resolution (GR) capping the prices for COVID-19 treatment, reserving 20 per cent beds and offering free treatment for the poor, came into effect on April 30 and May 21 respectively, which was after the patients were discharged.
Last week, the seven residents had approached the high court alleging that the hospital had charged them Rs 12.5 lakh for treatment and had threatened to stop their discharge if they failed to pay the money.
In their plea filed through advocate Vivek Shukla, the petitioners had sought a refund saying that the hospital was bound to reserve beds for the poor and provide them free treatment since it was run by a charitable trust.
A bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and Madhav Jamdar had then directed the state charity commissioner to conduct an inquiry in the matter.
In an affidavit submitted before the HC on Friday, the charity commissioner said while the hospital had reserved 20 per cent beds for persons from indigent and economically weaker sections, it had treated only four such patients since the lockdown came into force.
The first phase of coronavirus-induced lockdown came into effect on midnight of March 24.