LI Network
Published on: 10 September 2023 at 11:30 IST
An 84-year-old gynecologist from New York, who has been receiving medical care at Delhi’s Moolchand Hospital for advanced Alzheimer’s disease since 2017, has seen her condition deteriorate significantly, prompting the hospital to request the Delhi High Court’s assistance in securing payment for her accumulated medical bills, which amount to approximately Rs 52 lakh.
Dr. Sundri G. Bhagwanani was admitted to the hospital in 2017 by her brother, who tragically passed away while his plea to be appointed as the guardian of his ailing sister was still pending. The plea was intended to enable him to manage her medical expenses and overall well-being.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav has issued a notice to the Delhi government in response to an application submitted by the hospital, which seeks payment of outstanding dues totaling Rs 51,97,329 for the woman’s medical treatment.
The case has been scheduled for further hearing in November.
As the patient’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed, causing her to lose her memory, and with no family member coming forward to provide care, the high court took action last year.
They appointed an amicus curiae (a friend of the court) and involved the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) to assess the woman’s condition and recommend appropriate measures.
Bhagwanani’s advanced Alzheimer’s has left her unable to care for herself, necessitating continuous medical supervision.
In May of this year, the high court appointed the district magistrate of South-East Delhi as the limited guardian of the patient. The court also directed the appointment of a nodal officer by IHBAS to oversee her well-being and make decisions in collaboration with the guardian.
In regard to pending bills, the court instructed the district magistrate to determine the outstanding amount owed to the hospital and authorize the release of the appropriate funds to Moolchand Hospital. Furthermore, the district magistrate was entrusted with managing the patient’s bank account to facilitate the payment for her treatment.
The hospital has recently informed the court that the patient’s condition has further deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This information was conveyed to the district magistrate on August 28, according to the hospital.
Additionally, the hospital has contested the government’s decision to extend discounted Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates to the patient, asserting that this action is arbitrary. They argue that the patient is ineligible for this benefit since she is a US citizen.
The hospital’s application states, “The patient is not eligible for CGHS rates, since CGHS rates are only provided to such persons who are working with CGHS organization having a contract with the Moolchand Hospital. In the present case, the patient is a US citizen and the rates applicable for international patients are different. However, the hospital has already accommodated the patient for a lesser amount, and it would not be possible for the hospital to reduce the rates to the category of CGHS or EWS.”