Hospital refuses to release patient’s body to family

Hospital refuses to release patient’s body to family

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 12: A private hospital in Mangalore has refused to hand over the body of Leelavathi (36), a burns victim, to her family on grounds that they have not cleared their hospital bills. 

The family, however, is overwhelmed with financial worries. Gangadhar Achari (47), the brother of Leelavathi, said that he has sold and pawned almost everything they had, including their wife’s wedding jewellry, and that he does not have the money to clear the hospital bills. A carpenter by profession, he pleaded with the hospital authorities, but they refused to release his sister’s body. In addition, the hospital is charging Rs 1,000 for every day that the body is kept in the morgue. 

The managing director of the hospital claims that the hospital is not wrong in demanding to be paid for its services. He said that the family can take the body of Leelavathi after paying the hospital bills. 

According to the hospital records, the treatment of Leelavathi cost Rs 2.5 lakh. Mr. Achari said that the family had already paid Rs. 1.75 lakh and can afford to pay only Rs 25,000 more. 

The Additional Superintendent of Police R. Ramesh calls the situation “not only unethical, but also illegal.” He said that he will take the required action as soon as possible.