Bengaluru: Last year, a private hospital in the city did its first heart transplant. The lucky recipient was Kolkata-based Vika (name changed). The 28-year-old, who comes from an economically weak background, was billed Rs 7 lakh for the procedure. However, another recipient got a new organ in the same hospital for Rs 20 lakh. Today, the hospital charges Rs 20 to 25 lakh from each heart recipient, making it difficult for patients from humble backgrounds. This, despite the organ coming for free. Recently, another patient in his early twenties passed away, unable as he was to get a new heart. Not that he didn't find a matching donor. He was unable to afford the high transplant cost. With no...
↧