Irbid hospital releases bodies of 3 infants after government intervention

AMMAN — Prime Minister  Omar Razzaz on Monday instructed Minister of Health  Saad Jaber to immediately intervene in the management of a private hospital in Irbid governorate that refused to hand over the bodies of three deceased children to the family. 

The bodies were held after the hospital claimed financial dues from the family of the infants, the Jordan News Agency, Petra reported.

A woman was admitted last Friday to the hospital, where she gave birth to three children, who were admitted to the prenatal ward. The infants died 24 hours after their admission.

The family's hospital bill amounted to JD4,793 for the surgery and the children's admission into the prenatal ward and one day’s treatment. The father paid JD750, which prompted the hospital administration to release the body of one of the three infants until the remaining amount is paid.

In a statement to Petra, the health minister affirmed that Razzaz,  upon receiving the news, instructed the minister to intervene regarding the hospital's “objectionable” and “unlawful” behaviour, and instruct the hospital to hand over the bodies to the family. 

Jaber added that, under the premier’s directives, the Health Ministry immediately intervened to expedite the release of the bodies, assuring the hospital that it would receive the due payments. 

He added that a committee from the Health Ministry will be formed to verify the amount due for the infants' treatment at the hospital.

Jaber stressed that it is not permissible for public and private hospitals, in the event of death, to withhold a body when the deceased’s family is unable to pay the hospital bills, adding that the ministry will implement the law so that the due payments can be collected by other means, Petra said.

Jaber stressed that the ministry will take legal action against any hospital's administration that detains or prevents the delivery of bodies.