Can't Keep Bodies Of Patients Over Pending Bill, Assam Warns Hospitals

In a landmark move to uphold human dignity, the Assam cabinet led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today decided to crack down on the disturbing practice by some private hospitals and nursing homes of keeping bodies of patients for days until families pay pending medical bills.

Calling the practice "against human dignity," the chief minister said such actions would no longer be tolerated.

"From now on, any nursing home found keeping a body as a mortgage will face strict consequences," he said.

The penalties include suspension or cancellation of licence for three to six months, along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh. In case of repeat violations, the institution's license could be permanently cancelled.

Bodies of patients have to be handed over to families within four hours of death, unless the family has requested the hospital to keep the body in its morgue for a longer period.

The government will establish a 24x7 toll-free helpline number -- 104 -- and families will be able to report non-release of bodies on this number, the chief minister said.

"Immediately, it will be escalated to the District Health Officer, local police and hospital grievance cell. Upon receipt of complaint, the designated authority must visit the site, release the body if wrongfully held, and initiate legal proceedings," Mr Sarma said.

"The cabinet has approved the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and regulatory guidelines to prevent coercive practices by private nursing homes in Assam. The incidents must be reported to the police and district health authorities within four hours," he said.