Matlaoov Hussain

BAREILLY: An inquiry was ordered by the UP’s health department on Thursday after a 59-year-old ailing man died on the city streets as he was denied admission by four private hospitals, which, his family said, had refused to take him in after they showed them their Ayushman card. The man died when his family left the fourth hospital after failing to get him admitted under the scheme. The deceased’s kin on Thursday met state minister Shrikant Sharma and gave him a complaint.

Matlaoov Hussain, 59, who had fever for the past few days, complained of chest pain on Tuesday night. His family kept running from 9 pm to 3 am on Wednesday.

Nazia Khan, his daughter, said, “After my father’s health deteriorated on Tuesday, we first took him to a private hospital in Civil Lines but we were told to go somewhere else because the doctor is on leave. We then reached another private hospital on Stadium road in an ambulance. Officials at this hospital saw my father at emergency ward and issued me a receipt. We were asked to fill formalities at reception and were told to deposit Rs 13,000. When we showed them our Ayushman card, we were told to leave as the hospital didn’t had vacant bed in intensive care unit (ICU) for patients.”

“We later reached a third hospital on Junction road but doctor checked my father in the ambulance only. When I told them about Ayushman card, the doctor told us that their hospital is in process of getting empanelled under the Ayushman scheme. We then went to the fourth hospital in Bhojipura where my father was examined at the emergency. They spent an hour to prepare file and asked us to deposit Rs 15,000. Though I showed them our Ayushman card, we were told that my father’s treatment can be started only when we will deposit money. The hospital authorities said the doctor will inform them in the morning whether the treatment will be free or not. When they didn’t admit him, we left the hospital. Later, my father died.”

Imalda Parveen, a social activist who was with the family, said, “All these hospitals were initially ready to admit Hussain but denied after we showed them the Ayushman card. His life would have been saved if he was given treatment. I met UP minister Shrikant Sharma who has assured me of action.”

Chief medical officer Dr Vineet Shukla said, “Taking cognizance of the matter, we will probe the matter and strict action will be taken. The matter will be taken up with grievance redressal committee comprising the additional district magistrate (executive) and additional chief medical officer.”

