Ranchi, Sep 12: The health department has provisionally suspended the operational licence of Tulip Hospital in the state capital after an inquiry by the Ranchi civil surgeon found that the facility allegedly refused to release the body of a deceased person until pending dues were settled, officials said on Saturday.
Order issued on minister's instructions; statute invoked
The action was taken on the instructions of Health Minister Irfan Ansari, the minister's office said in a statement. The suspension invokes the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Jharkhand Clinical Establishments Rules, 2013, and will remain in force until a detailed inquiry is completed and further orders are issued by the competent authority.
Immediate restrictions and duties for the hospital
The civil surgeon's order places the following immediate restrictions on the hospital's activities and sets out duties the management must follow while the probe continues:
- Registration and treatment of new out-patient department (OPD) patients are prohibited.
- Admission of new in-patient department (IPD) patients is barred.
- Scheduling of new elective surgeries and other new clinical services is not permitted.
- The hospital must continue to provide necessary and appropriate medical care to existing inpatients and arrange for safe transfer if required.
- All critical records and evidence related to the incident of September 10 must be preserved.
“This suspension will remain in effect until the completion of a detailed inquiry and further orders from the competent authority,” the health minister's office said.
Records preservation and inquiry process
The order specifically directs the hospital management to preserve and produce documentation and electronic evidence connected to the matter. Items listed for preservation include:
| Type of record | Examples |
|---|---|
| Patient records | Case sheets, OPD/IPD registers, treatment documents, consent forms, test reports |
| Administrative records | Duty rosters, attendance records |
| Electronic evidence | CCTV footage, other electronic data |
The statement warns of strict action if there is any attempt to alter or destroy records or tamper with evidence. A detailed inquiry will be conducted by a constituted committee or the competent authority, the office said, and the hospital management is required to extend full cooperation and provide all necessary documents.
Patient safety and transition arrangements
While new clinical services are suspended, the civil surgeon's order emphasises the hospital's obligation to continue appropriate care to all admitted patients. Management has been instructed to submit a complete list of current inpatients and to coordinate with relevant hospitals and authorities to ensure safe transfers if the need arises.
Officials did not provide the name of the deceased or details of the family involved in the September 10 incident in the statement. The action follows the civil surgeon's inquiry into the allegation that the hospital refused to release a body until payment of pending dues.
Implications for residents
The provisional suspension restricts access to Tulip Hospital's services for new patients in Ranchi until the inquiry concludes. Residents who rely on the hospital for planned elective procedures or registrations will need to seek alternative facilities. The inquiry and the instructions to preserve records aim to ensure accountability while safeguarding the rights and safety of current patients.
The health minister's office said further details would be provided as the inquiry proceeds and when the competent authority reaches a decision on the hospital's registration.
