Woman, 60, dies in ambulance as family fails to pay admission fees

The family of a 60-year-old female Covid-19 patient died in an ambulance outside a private hospital allegedly awaiting admission in Kolkata on Tuesday. The family hails from Tamluk in East Midnapore district and were asked to deposit Rs3 lakh demanded by the staff at Desun hospital on EM bypass but they failed to arrange for the money on time.

The deceased woman's son slammed the hospital and dubbed his mother's death a murder by the hospital and not due to the coronavirus.

"My mother was unwell, she had cardiac issues for a long time. We brought her to another hospital in Kolkata first and when she tested positive for Covid, she had to be shifted to a Covid-19 facility, hence we went to Desun," said Lajim Khan.

Lajim had brought his mother from another hospital to Desun by ambulance and was asked to pay Rs3 lakh as a deposit. He was also told the maximum amount required daily for his mother’s treatment would be Rs70,000 and would gradually decrease.

Khan paid Rs30,000 through his credit card and Rs50,000 through his debit card. He told the hospital authorities he will pay the remaining sum, and it was just to start the treatment. The hospital authorities allegedly refused to treat the patient.

With no other option left, Khan called up his cousin in Abu Dhabi to seek help, who in return assured him of financial aid but required some time to transfer funds.

Khan also alleged he requested the authorities to admit his mother as he showed them a proof of the transaction made, but they refused. It was only when they got the notification of the transaction, they allowed Khan to bring his mother. But, it was too late and the woman died, waiting in the ambulance.

The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission has issued an advisory to cap advance deposit during admission to Rs50,000 after repeated incidents coming to light of exorbitant amounts charged by hospitals in the state.

My cousin from Abu Dhabi was shattered to know this and asked me for an hour's time to transfer whatever he could. Within one hour, he did transfer Rs2 lakh to the hospital's account. I showed the authorities the screenshot of transaction. They said they have not received any notification yet. — Lajim Khan, the deceased woman’s son