According to reports, despite clear instructions from the government that hospitals must continue to accept old Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes, Jeevan Jyot hospital and Nursing Home in Govandi denied treatment to the infant which resulted in his death.
Reportedly, the boy’s parents wanted to pay a part of the bill in Rs.500 notes which ceased to be ceased legal tender since Tuesday midnight. The infant’s father, Jagadish Sharma, a carpenter by profession, lodged a complaint with the police who advised him to submit a letter which would be forwarded to Maharashtra Medical Council.
Sharma’s wife, Kiran was under Dr.Sheetal Kamath’s care at the hospital from April 18, reportedly. A day after the prime minister announced the demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes, Kiran underwent certain tests and was told that her baby was due December 7.
However, Kiran went into labour on November 9 and the baby was delivered the same day. The baby was born premature and Kiran lost a lot of blood, according to reports.
So, she was taken to Dr. Kamath immediately who refused to admit her because her husband was unable to pay the deposit in lower denomination notes. Sharma requested the doctor to give them some time as the banks had been shut for a day to replace the old currency with the new but all in vain. Reportedly, Dr. Kamath paid no heed to Kiran and her baby’s condition and sent the family back.
Turns out, the baby’s condition worsened on Friday. He was immediately rushed to another doctor but the infant died as his parents waited for their turn.
Reportedly, Mumbai Mirror (a Mumbai tabloid newspaper which gives prominence to Mumbai related stories and issues) spoke to Dr. Sheetal Kamath who accepted that she sent Sharma’s family back because they didn’t have the money to pay the full deposit. Also, she added that the baby required some kind of special care that wasn’t available at her hospital. So, she advised the parents to take their child to another hospital.
The health minister has received a complaint and has assured action if necessary.