HC notice to govt, hospital over refusal to return advance

At a hearing before Justice GR Swaminathan on Wednesday, Nehru stated that he, along with his wife Vasuki, visited the NTC Hospital on Thathameri main road, Vaithyanathapuram, on July 7, as they both had high fever. At the hospital, the couple was informed that they had symptoms and would have to be admitted immediately, but on advance payment of Rs 8 lakh. Nehru managed to pay Rs 5 lakh cash and the rest through his son-in-law. However, swab test results of the couple on July 8 turned out to be negative and two days later, both husband and wife were discharged. Barring treatment expenses for two days, the petitioner demanded rest of the money back from the hospital, but was only given Rs 1,05,000. When he asked for a bill, the hospital, on July 31, showed that each of the patients was charged Rs 65,840.

Capitalising the pandemic situation and fear among patients, the private hospital administration has been illegally extracting huge sums of money without giving proper receipts, the petitioner added. Moreover, the hospital also violated government guidelines, causing mental hardship and agony and also withheld huge amounts paid in advance and despite demanding reimbursement, failed to respond. Hence strict action should be taken against them, Nehru said. Justice Swaminathan after hearing the plea served notices to the respondents, including the Health Secretary, the Madurai Collector, the hospital administration and the State government and adjourned the case to September 21.