Pune: PMC Imposes Strict Guidelines On Private Hospitals: No Denial Of Treatment Over Unpaid Bills
Pune, 10th May 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a directive to all private hospitals in the city, instructing them to prioritize life-saving treatments for critically ill patients regardless of their financial capacity. Additionally, if a patient passes away during treatment, hospitals must complete the necessary medico-legal procedures and hand over the body to the relatives without withholding it due to unpaid bills. The PMC has emphasized that under no circumstances should a hospital detain a deceased patient’s body over billing disputes.
The directive comes in response to recent complaints received by the PMC’s Health Department regarding instances where private hospitals allegedly refused treatment due to non-payment or withheld bodies over unpaid bills. In some cases, hospitals cited the absence of billing staff during nighttime hours as a reason for not releasing the body to the family. The PMC highlighted a specific complaint against Poona Hospital, and after hearing from both the hospital representatives and the affected family members, the Health Department issued the directive in writing to all private hospitals on Friday (9th May). The PMC has referred to the provisions under the ‘Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949’ and the 2021 notification while issuing these guidelines.
Dr Nina Borade, the PMC Health Officer, has also instructed private hospitals to adhere strictly to rules (j) and (l) under Section 11 of the government notification, which mandate courteous treatment towards patients and their families. These directives are expected to curb arbitrary practices by private hospitals moving forward.
