Year since blast, hospital bills still not paid

Pvt hospitals yet to receive reimbursement promised by government for treating people injured in terror attack on German Bakery

Year since blast, hospital bills still not paid

Pvt hospitals yet to receive reimbursement promised by government for treating people injured in terror attack on German Bakery

Almost a year has passed since the German Bakery blast and six private hospitals that treated the injured are yet to be paid bills amounting to almost Rs 79 lakh by the government.

Soon after, the then additional chief secretary (relief and rehabilitation) M Rameshkumar went a step further stating that besides medical expenses, the government would bear the cost of hearing aids and artificial limbs as well if the patients needed these.

However, even a year after, the promises have not been kept and hospitals said they felt cheated, as they had spared no expenses in treating patients.

The highest bill was incurred by Koregaon Park's Inlaks Budhrani hospital ,which was Rs 34.71 lakh for treating 16 patients.

Dr Asha Rewlani, medical superintendent in Inlaks Budhrani hospital, said that despite regular follow-ups, the hospital had not got any communication from the state regarding reimbursement.

"We have been talking to the collectorate but I don't think we have got any reply so far. We were told that our complete bills would be reimbursed but not even part payment has been made so far," she said.

The second highest bill was incurred by Jehangir hospital, where 13 patients were treated. The bill was Rs 28.08 lakh.

Dr Prasad Muglikar, medical superintendent at Jehangir hospital, said that they felt disillusioned, as the government had not kept any of the promises it made.

"People always keep blaming private hospitals, but I think we also should be given a fair hearing. We went all out to treat the injured and offered the best of our services. However, it has been a year and we haven't received our promised payment. And this isn't just one incident, there have been others as well when promises were not kept. I think things will improve only if communication and commitment from the government improves," he said.

Unpaid bills

Inlaks Budhrani hospital: Rs 34.71 lakh (16 patients)
Jehangir hospital: Rs 28.08 lakh (13 patients)
Ruby Hall Clinic: Rs 7.23 lakh
KEM hospital: Rs 5.84 lakh (four patients)
Sancheti hospital: Rs 2.15 lakh (two patients)
Surya hospital: Rs 1 lakh (two patients)