Punjab bars hospitals from withholding bodies over unpaid bills

Chandigarh: To protect human rights and preserve the dignity of the deceased, the Punjab govt has directed all govt and private hospitals, nursing homes and clinical establishments not to withhold dead bodies over non-payment of hospital bills or any other pending dues.The directions were issued by the director, health and family welfare, Punjab, in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC).As per the orders, all healthcare institutions have been instructed to release dead bodies without delay, irrespective of any outstanding payments. The department reiterated that withholding a deceased person's body due to unpaid bills was strictly prohibited under all circumstances.All hospitals have been directed to prominently display notices in Punjabi, Hindi and English at casualty wards, mortuary entrances and main reception areas stating that deceased persons will not be detained due to any outstanding dues.The notices will also inform people that complaints can be lodged through the state health helpline number 104.The department has also sought immediate compliance reports regarding mortuary cold-chain management and electrical safety measures. Earlier instructions mandated mortuary cold-chain compliance, the appointment of electrical nodal officers and the installation of digital temperature alert systems.As part of efforts to improve medico-legal services, the department announced that training and orientation programmes would be conducted for medical officers on medico-legal reporting, sampling protocols and the proper handling and management of dead bodies.The programmes, carrying Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, are proposed to be conducted within the next 90 days.The health department has further directed all medical institutions to issue medico-legal and post-mortem reports only through the digital MedLEaPR portal. The issuance of handwritten or unofficial medico-legal reports has been prohibited.MSID:: 131631990 413 |