JOIN USThe Union Health Ministry on Tuesday asked the Haryana government to investigate a case in which Fortis Hospital in Gurugram slapped a bill of Rs 16 lakh on the father of a 7-year-old girl who died of dengue after staying in the ICU for 15 days.
Health Minister J P Nadda took note of the case when his family friend tweeted how the hospital billed the family for 660 syringes, 1,600 surgical gloves and sugar strips at Rs 200 a strip as against the normal price Rs 13 per strip.
"Such incidents have an extremely deleterious impact on the faith of the public in the healthcare system. I request you to initiate an enquiry into the incident," Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan wrote to the Haryana government.
"The details of the treatment and the charges need to be ascertained and expert opinion on the reasonability must be taken on the details provided by the hospital. In case any overcharging, negligence or malfeasance is made out, exemplary action needs to be taken," she added.