Bengaluru: As many as 18 private hospitals in Bengaluru have been slapped with a show-cause notice after a 52-year old patient with influenza-like illness symptoms died on being allegedly denied admission by them citing non- availability of beds.
According to Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu, refusal to provide treatment was not only inhuman but also illegal.
He tweeted: “Notice has been served to the hospitals taking cognisance of the (media) reports about the denial of admission to a patient in emergency. Denying medical assistance during emergency is not only inhuman but also illegal.”
Reports said the son and nephew of the patient took him to the 18 hospitals on Saturday and Sunday, but he was not admitted on the pretext of non-availability of beds or ventilators. The man died later.
The Commissioner of health and family welfare issued the show-cause notice to the top authorities of the hospitals under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (KPME) Act, 2007.
“By denying admission to the patient, your hospitals have violated the provisions of the KPME Act. You are liable for legal action,” it said and demanded replies within 24 hours as to why action should not be against the hospitals.