Hyderabad, Nov 6 — A shocking incident of alleged medical malpractice and extortion has come to light in Madhapur, Hyderabad, where the family of a deceased doctor claims that a private hospital concealed the death of their loved one in order to extort additional fees.
The deceased, Dr. Nagapriya, a junior doctor from Hyderabad, had been admitted to the hospital after falling ill. On Tuesday, the family had already paid an advance of ₹3 lakh for medical treatment, diagnostic tests, and medications. However, Dr. Nagapriya’s condition worsened later that evening, and she reportedly passed away.
Instead of informing the family of her death, the hospital staff continued to act as though treatment was ongoing. On Wednesday morning, the hospital demanded an additional ₹1 lakh, threatening to stop treatment unless the amount was paid. Under duress, the family complied, handing over the extra ₹1 lakh. Only after receiving the payment did the hospital staff finally inform the family that Dr. Nagapriya had passed away the previous night and proceeded to release her body.
Outraged by this callous behavior, Dr. Nagapriya’s family staged a protest outside the hospital, accusing the medical staff of hiding her death in an attempt to extort more money from them. They expressed their disbelief at the hospital’s actions and demanded accountability for what they described as a gross violation of ethical standards.
The family has also raised concerns about the unethical practices in private healthcare facilities and has called for an investigation into the hospital’s conduct. Local authorities are reportedly looking into the allegations, and an official complaint has been lodged with the police.
This case brings to mind a scene from the popular movie Tagore, where a multi-specialty hospital continues treatment for a deceased patient to extort money from the family. Tragically, the real-life incident mirrors the plot of that film, underscoring the serious concerns regarding hospital transparency and patient rights in India.