Show-cause notice to hospital for delay in handing over body

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday issued a show-cause notice to Jehangir Hospital after the relatives of a deceased person complained that the facility had refused to hand over the body over pending bills.

PMC assistant health officer Dr Suryakant Devkar said, “The patient was admitted on May 18 midnight and the body was handed over in the morning. It was alleged that the relatives were overcharged. We issued a show-cause notice to the private hospital seeking information. It could be a miscommunication, but we want them to explain. We have also asked the relatives to provide details about their side of the story.”

Meanwhile, the hospital said they are yet to receive the notice. A representative said, “The body was kept in the mortuary overnight and handed over in the morning as per the family’s request. The insurance process was also expedited during their difficult time and a concession given to assist the family.”

The civic body has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the hospital to reply to the notice, failing which they would face action as per the Bombay Nursing Act provisions.