Jalpaiguri: A woman is forced to put her three-month old infant on sale in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal state to get her husband from the hospital, allegedly held for three months for non-payment of bills; hospital denies the charge.
The hapless mother held a placard saying 'I want to sell my baby for money to help release my husband from hospital who has been held by the hospital authority for failing to pay his dues'.
"I want to sell my three -month old child as there is no other option. This is one of the most unfortunate thing that can happen to any mother," said Anima Roy, wife of Gobinda Roy, the patient.
Anima was shocked to hear about her husband's accident at a construction site in Bhutan where he went to earn the livelihood for his family. He was injured and was immediately admitted to the private Paramount Hospital, Anima said.
He was operated on his wounded leg and the bill rose to Rs 25,000. The poor wife and husband sold their house and belongings to clear the amount. But, says Anima, when she next went to the hospital she was given a bill amounting of Rs 1 lakh.
The family stopped visiting the patient, as they could not pay the amount. As such he is still held up in the hospital for more than 3months, alleges Anima.
"They are saying pay the money or else you are not allowed to leave the hospital. Because of this reason my family is also not visiting me, as they don't have money. Today, it has been three months that I am here," said Gobinda Roy.
However, the hospital authorities deny the charge. Ashoke Kumar Khaendelwal, the Medical Supervisor of the Paramount Hospital said that family itself is not willing to take the patient.
"No, there is not a question of not discharging a patient for money. We never held up the patient who cannot pay the money. When somebody cannot pay the money then what is the use of keeping him. It is only wastage of money and reputation of the hospital," said Khanedelwal.
Comments
0 comment