HYDERABAD: A senior government doctor from the state-run Fever Hospital has alleged that she was detained for two days by a private hospital in the city for not paying part of Rs 1.13 lakh Covid-19 medical bill during her 24 hours of hospitalisation. The hospital has denied the claim.
“I was not given food and insulin on time, despite being a diabetic. When I reached out to the Chaderghat police, the police refused to lodge my complaint saying that it was a matter of billing and they were helpless,” Dr Sultana told TOI.
The doctor, who was rushed to Thumbay Hospital by her folks late on July 1 when she faced discomfort after contracting the virus, says she tried the police control room thrice in the night, but could not get any help.
The 52-year-old civil assistant surgeon has four other family members currently Covid-19 positive, including her daughter, niece and brothers. She and her bother has now been shifted to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment.
“I have been insulted, called names. Four people came and harassed me. They denied me food, kept torturing me mentally and did not let me meet my brother who is also admitted in the hospital in the adjacent room. I was not able to take it anymore and ultimately made a payment by credit card and got myself discharged at 4 am this morning (Sunday),” she told TOI.
Doc: Was charged Rs 1.15L for just 1 day
My brother who had already paid Rs 1.05 lakh deposit is also trying to get himself discharged now. Even after I paid so much, I had to load my luggage, despite having an IV cannula on my hand,” she said.
“They charged me Rs 1.15 lakh only for one day (up to July 2). I paid Rs 40,000 and I don’t have any money now. They detained me since yesterday morning for the amount and today they have injected me with 10 units of insulin without giving me food for the next two hours. I was going into hypoglycaemia… Please help me,” she wrote in a complaint addressed to the station house officer, Chaderghat.
She also released a video in which she is seen crying and complaining about her state.
Dr Lalu Prasad Rathod, president, Telangana Government Doctors Association, demanded a probe by the government.
Police said they received a complaint from Thumbay Hospital that Dr Sultana was not paying fees.
“We asked them to take up the matter with medical & health department authorities. There are CCTV cameras in the hospital and the patient was not detained by hospital staff,” said Chaderghat inspector P Sateesh.
“I was not given food and insulin on time, despite being a diabetic. When I reached out to the Chaderghat police, the police refused to lodge my complaint saying that it was a matter of billing and they were helpless,” Dr Sultana told TOI.
The doctor, who was rushed to Thumbay Hospital by her folks late on July 1 when she faced discomfort after contracting the virus, says she tried the police control room thrice in the night, but could not get any help.
The 52-year-old civil assistant surgeon has four other family members currently Covid-19 positive, including her daughter, niece and brothers. She and her bother has now been shifted to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment.
“I have been insulted, called names. Four people came and harassed me. They denied me food, kept torturing me mentally and did not let me meet my brother who is also admitted in the hospital in the adjacent room. I was not able to take it anymore and ultimately made a payment by credit card and got myself discharged at 4 am this morning (Sunday),” she told TOI.
Doc: Was charged Rs 1.15L for just 1 day
My brother who had already paid Rs 1.05 lakh deposit is also trying to get himself discharged now. Even after I paid so much, I had to load my luggage, despite having an IV cannula on my hand,” she said.
“They charged me Rs 1.15 lakh only for one day (up to July 2). I paid Rs 40,000 and I don’t have any money now. They detained me since yesterday morning for the amount and today they have injected me with 10 units of insulin without giving me food for the next two hours. I was going into hypoglycaemia… Please help me,” she wrote in a complaint addressed to the station house officer, Chaderghat.
She also released a video in which she is seen crying and complaining about her state.
Dr Lalu Prasad Rathod, president, Telangana Government Doctors Association, demanded a probe by the government.
Police said they received a complaint from Thumbay Hospital that Dr Sultana was not paying fees.
“We asked them to take up the matter with medical & health department authorities. There are CCTV cameras in the hospital and the patient was not detained by hospital staff,” said Chaderghat inspector P Sateesh.
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