Fortis dengue death case: Nadda seeks report from hospital

Union Health Minister J P Nadda today said he had sought a "detailed report" from a Gurgaon- based private hospital, which billed the family of a child who died of dengue almost Rs 16 lakh, and added that the government would take "action" based on it.
The minister, who termed the incident "very unfortunate", said he had also asked the health secretary to look into the case.
"The government has taken cognisance of the case. I've enquired from the hospital authorities and asked them to submit a detailed report to the health ministry," he told reporters on the sidelines of a health conference here.

The case relates to the death in September of a seven- year-old girl who was admitted to Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon, a multi super-speciality care hospital.
"I've also asked the health secretary to look into the case, and based on the report, we will take the needed action," he said.
Nadda said he had taken note of the allegation levelled on Twitter last night against the hospital by a friend of the girl's parents.

"One of my batchmate's 7 year old was in @fortis_hospital for ~15 days for Dengue. Billed 18 lakhs including for 2700 gloves. She passed away at the end of it...," the friend said in the tweet which went viral.

Fortis Hospital in a statement yesterday had claimed "all standard medical protocols were followed in treating the patient and all clinical guidelines were adhered to".
Fortis said it had charged the family Rs 15.79 lakh.
Asked about the hospital's charges, the Union minister said, "We will inform state governments about such issues. An advisory has to to be issued."
"We have told them before also. We have the clinical establishment model Act (The Clinical Establishments [Registration and Regulation] Act, 2010) that needs to be adopted, so that patients can get relief. We will instruct the states again on this," he said.

The Act deals with the registration and regulation of all clinical establishments in the country, stipulating minimum standards for the facilities and services they have to provide.
The minister earlier inaugurated a conference on "Access to Medical Products and International Laws for Trade and Health" dealing with issues in the context of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"Interests should converge so that the price of medicines can come down. And besides that, the cost of appliances should also go down. People should get quality appliances and quality medicine," he said.
He said the deliberations would help India and other countries.

"India has taken a lead, and all ministries are helping the health ministry create a healthier country, and making cheaper medicines available. India is a big exporter, so we can give cheaper medicines to other countries also.