Licence of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh cancelled

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Friday cancelled the licence of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh with immediate effect, for alleged medical negligence including the twins case in which one of the babies was found alive after being declared dead by the doctors.

The move came after a three-member inquiry panel of the government submitted its final report to Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who described the incident as "not acceptable".

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Delhi government's health department, the licence has been cancelled until further order.

In the order issued by the DGHS, the keeper of the hospital has also been directed to "refrain from admitting any new indoor patient and stop all outdoor treatment service in the premises with immediate effect".

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "open loot or criminal negligence" by any hospital will not be tolerated.

"Whereas we don't wish to interfere in day to day functioning of private hospitals, however, open loot or criminal negligence by any hospital won't be tolerated. We won't hesitate to take the strongest action in such cases (sic)," he tweeted.

Earlier, addressing a press conference here, Jain said the government would not tolerate "criminal negligence" while terming the upscale private as a "habitual offender".

"Delhi government has cancelled the licence of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh with immediate effect," he said.

"The (Max) hospital cannot admit and treat new patients, which means the hospital's billing function is not active now. They continue to treat admitted patients," Jain said.

Max Healthcare authorities, in a statement, issued hours after the cancellation of the licence by the Delhi government, said, "We have not been given an adequate opportunity to be heard."

"We have received the notice of cancellation of the license of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. We strongly believe that this ruling is harsh," it said.

The IMA as termed "too harsh a step" the cancellation of the licence of Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh by the Delhi government, saying action should be initiated against "those who are at fault" after inquiry.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) President KK Aggarwal, also a cardiologist, said the government decision was "not in the interest of society".