Bhubaneswar: Taking strong cognizance of the alleged misbehaviour by the authorities of BR Life Kalinga Hospital towards Keonjhar BJP MLA and Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi, the State Government today dropped the Bhubaneswar-based super speciality hospital from the list of Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF) empanelled member hospitals.
State Health Minister Naba Das today informed the Assembly that the action was taken based on the fact finding by a four-member committee constituted to probe into the alleged misbehaviour case.
"The hospital has been dropped from OSTF list with effect from July 19 and Director of Health Services has been directed to ensure that no other hospital should repeat such a mistake of detaining a dead body for money. They have also been asked to maintain decorum with any MLA if he or she visits the hospital," Das said.
As per reports, BR Life Kalinga Hospital allegedly refused to discharge the body of one Sachin Barik of Naradpur village in Keonjhar district, who died on June 29 while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Family members of the deceased alleged that although bills were paid for the treatment of the deceased, the hospital authorities detained his body demanding more money.
Following a request from Sachin’s family, the BJP legislator intervened into the matter and held discussion with the DGM of the hospital. But instead of considering Majhi’s request, the Hospital DGM along with staff of the Accounts Section refused to release the body citing non-payment of pending bills and allegedly humiliated the legislator.