The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a strict directive to all private hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities under its jurisdiction, making it clear that under no circumstances should deceased patients’ bodies be withheld due to unpaid medical bills or any other reason.
Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer of PMC, stated that once all necessary medico-legal formalities are completed, hospitals must immediately release the body to the family. He emphasized that withholding a body for non-payment is strictly prohibited.
The PMC’s health department issued a formal letter reminding all private healthcare establishments that they are registered under the Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949, and must strictly comply with its rules to maintain their registration. The letter highlighted the legal obligations outlined in the Act, particularly Rule No. 11 (j) and (l) of the Maharashtra government’s notification dated January 14, 2021, which calls for humane and respectful treatment of patients and their families.
This move comes in the wake of recent incidents. On April 7, PMC issued a show cause notice to Manipal Hospital in Kharadi for allegedly refusing to release the body of a 54-year-old patient for eight hours due to unpaid bills. A similar notice was served to Poona Hospital on April 28 for allegedly detaining a deceased patient’s body for the same duration.
Dr. Nina Borade, Chief of Health at PMC, reiterated that all healthcare providers are legally bound to prioritize life-saving treatment, regardless of the patient’s financial status. She warned that strict action would be taken against any facility that fails to comply with these regulations.
Dr. Sanjay Patil, National Secretary of the Hospital Board of India, acknowledged the legal clause that prohibits holding deceased bodies over unpaid bills. He suggested that in most cases where such incidents occur, they are likely the result of miscommunication between hospital staff and the patient’s family.
