Trehan, Fortis Health ready for out-of-court settlement

The week-long allegations and counter-allegations that followed the ouster of Naresh Trehan, former executive director of Escorts Health Institute and Research Centre are to subside for now.

Both Trehan and the Fortis Healthcare, that owns Escorts Hospitals, have decided to bury the hatchet and attempt an out-of-the-court settlement.

Fortis management allowed Trehan's team to carry out their responsibilities as usual. Unlike the last few days, there was no attempt from Fortis management to deny permission to any of the former employees who were dismissed for being attached to Trehan.

However, both Fortis and Trehan camp declined to comment on the status of these employees. It is known that the talks could lead to a reversal of all disciplinary actions taken by Fortis management against Trehan and his loyalists during the week.

The decision came after the Delhi High Court, which heard a case filed by an association of doctors supporting cardiologist Naresh Trehan against the Fortis management today, wanted both parties to look after the interests of patients.

The court has adjourned the case for May 29. The counsel for the group of doctors had sought adjournment saying they were trying to sort out the dispute amicably and need some more time for resolution.

The doctors moved the high court yesterday seeking the setting up of a three-member committee to run the hospital and a stay on their transfer and termination of services.

Fortis management, which bought 90 per cent stake in Escorts Hospitals two years ago, had terminated the services of Trehan on the basis of 'conflict of interest' arising out of Trehan's involvement in his own healthcare venture, the Rs 1000 crore Medicity project, while being part of Escorts.

Fortis also clarified that the decision to strip off Trehan from all administrative charges of Fortis was taken after the chances of Fortis-Trehan operational partnership became remote.