Fortis death: Haryana health min assures probe

GURGAON: The chief medical officer of Civil Hospital, Gurgaon, initiated an inquiry on Tuesday into the death of a seven-yearold dengue patient at a private hospital in Gurgaon this September. Haryana health minister Anil Vij also ordered a probe in the case by a senior officer and sought a report for appropriate action against the guilty, if any.

The action comes a day after Union health minister JP Nadda responded to a tweet expressing outrage about the medical bills handed to the family of the deceased child, Adya Singh. Adya’s father alleged that Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurgaon) billed them for 660 syringes and 2,700 gloves during his daughter’s 15-day hospital stay.

“We have formed a threemember team of doctors to look into the matter of Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurgaon). The investigation report will be submitted to the health department in Chandigarh. We need to find out if the treatment was correct, and if the hospital has overcharged the patient’s family,” BK Rajora, Civil Hospital CMO, said.

Meanwhile, the state health minister said on Tuesday that no hospital will be allowed to play with the health and sentiments of people.

Vij added that officers have been directed to submit the investigation report.

Adya’s father said the hospital gave them a 20-page itemised bill that amounts to Rs 15.79lakh. NEWDELHI: A survey of Delhiites found that 47% people were asked by their doctors to use a particular pathology lab for their tests, suggesting a nexus between path labs and doctors.

According to the participant on Localcircles, the online platform for discussion of social issues,, several diagnostic labs have mushroomed in different parts of the country and they pass on a part of their income to doctors to send them patients.

Nearly 29,000 responses were received on the online survey.

The girl, Adya Singh, was referred to Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon after she was diagnosed with dengue at another private hospital. She was put on ventilator within 48 hours of her admission on September 1.

“Only 793 gloves and 600 syringes were used over a 15-day period for the treatment of Adya Singh,” the hospital clarified. “This is justifiable and acceptable when the patient is in an ICU setting,” the hospital statement said. The hospital also assured that all the items on the bill were used for treatment of the 7-yearold.