Was offered bribe for settlement: Father of Fortis Hospital victim

GURUGRAM: Questions continue to be raised on the ethical practices of Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, after Jayant Singh – father of the deceased seven-year-old Adhya – on Firday alleged that he was bribed with Rs 25 lakh for not pursuing the matter further.

The Haryana government had indicted the hospital for unlawful practices after it charged Adhya's family an exorbitant sum after she died during treatment for dengue.

Jayant asserted that even though the management of the hospital did not make a direct offer, they tried to make an indirect offer so that he can change his mind.

He claimed that the management of the hospital reached out to him and highlighted that they will refund the money, along with extra charges taking into consideration of their financial condition.

However, they also laid the condition that after getting the amount, Singh will not take a legal recourse against the hospital.

"The management tried to play an emotional card so that I can change my decision against raising voice on the illegal practices of the hospital. I am fortunate to be earning well and money is not a criteria for me. I want to bring forth the issues of how these hospitals are extracting profits from the patient's family," said Jayant.

There are reports that he has filed an FIR against the hospital at Sushant Lok police station.

However, the hospital, in its statement on Friday, denied the claims of bribery.

Problems seem to be mounting for Fortis Hospital, after it came to notice that it had charged Rs15.79 lakh for the 15-day long treatment of the seven-year-old, who was suffering from dengue shock syndrome. She later succumbed to her illness.

Finding the hospital management guilt on various aspects, the Haryana government removed it from the list of empanelled hospitals. They have also ordered the closure of their blood bank on account of overcharging for platelets.