CMRI Hospital authorities accused of overcharging patient

CMRI Hospital in Ekbalpore has been accused of overcharging a patient who was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago after consuming acid.

The family members of the victim, Rupam Pal, alleged that the hospital authorities have made an excessive bill. It was alleged that the amount of the bill has gone up to Rs 3.15 lakh in the past two weeks.

The victim's relatives claimed that there were some irregularities in the bill as it was demanded by the hospital authorities.

Rupam, an 8-year-old boy and a resident of Behala mistakenly consumed acid two weeks ago, and was then admitted to the CMRI Hospital.

The patient's relatives said that the hospital has charged them a total of Rs 3.15 lakh. They have alleged that initially, the hospital authorities told them it would cost around Rs 30,000 for an operation but they increased the operation charge to Rs 90,000 without any intimation.

They also alleged that doctor's fees for the same operation was mentioned twice in the bill. They had paid the hospital around Rs 1.90 lakh.

After that, the hospital authorities waived Rs 20,000 as the family members of the victim submitted the Mayor's letter to the hospital.

Among the remaining dues, the family members of Rupam again paid Rs 50,000. They could not pay the remaining Rs 55,000 to the nursing home.

It was learnt that though the hospital authorities were ready to release the patient without realising the due amount, they might take legal action against the patient's family members for the non-payment of dues. In another incident, police have arrested four persons including three

owners of PG Nursing Home in Burdwan after a prolonged interrogation for overcharging a patient whose father committed suicide after failing to pay the excessive bill amount.

Police detained four accused for questioning on Saturday after a complaint was lodged with the local administration against the nursing home authorities.

State Health department is examining reports submitted by the Chief Medical Officer of health in Burdwan after carrying out an investigation into the matter.

Burdwan district administration also served a show-cause notice to the hospital for allegedly overcharging a patient leading to her father committing suicide.

The victim, Tapan Lete, father of Chonki Lete of Katti village in Birbhum committed suicide after failing to pay the nursing home bill of Rs 44,000.

On the basis of specific complaint, the police started an investigation and took action against the hospital authorities.