A tragic hit-and-run accident on a busy Gurgaon highway has not only claimed a life but also exposed alarming allegations of medical overbilling, leaving a grieving family grappling with both loss and financial shock.
The Fatal Accident on NH8
Shivnath Mishra, a 58-year-old resident of Dwarka Sector 19, was killed in a hit-and-run incident near the Sirhaul border on Saturday. The head of the purchase department at World Laparoscopy Hospital was on his scooter when a taxi allegedly hit him between 10:30 am and 11:00 am on National Highway 8. The driver fled the scene immediately, abandoning the victim on the road.
Due to the severe impact, Mishra suffered critical head injuries and collapsed. Traffic police personnel at the spot used fingerprint access to unlock his mobile phone and inform his family. He was rushed by PCR staff to a private hospital located in DLF Phase 3 for emergency treatment.
Hospital Treatment and Mounting Bills
Despite being admitted, Shivnath Mishra succumbed to his injuries around 10:30 pm the same day. However, the incident took a controversial turn after his death, centering on the hospital's billing practices. Mishra's son, Bhuneshwar, raised serious questions about the exorbitant charges levied by the medical facility.
He revealed that the family was initially given an estimate of approximately Rs 2 lakh for critical care. This estimate was later revised to around Rs 5 lakh after a neurologist recommended surgery due to internal brain bleeding. Although doctors stated the surgery was successful, Mishra's blood pressure dropped precipitously afterward, leading to his death.
The central point of contention is the final bill. Despite the patient being admitted for less than 10 hours, the hospital allegedly presented a bill amounting to roughly Rs 5.9 lakh. Bhuneshwar alleged that the charges included costs for multiple days of observation and medication, which were never provided given the short duration of his father's hospitalization.
Intervention and Aftermath
Following the intervention of staff members from the victim's workplace, World Laparoscopy Hospital, the hospital reduced the bill to about Rs 2.5 lakh. Meanwhile, the police investigation into the hit-and-run continues. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify and trace the taxi driver who fled the spot. The case highlights a double tragedy for the family, dealing with an unexpected death compounded by a dispute over medical ethics and billing transparency.
This incident underscores urgent concerns about road safety on busy corridors like NH8 and the accountability of private healthcare providers during medical emergencies.
