 | Breach Candy Hospital was to open an obesity clinic in October 2007 wherein it would provide free fat-reduction surgery to the most obese person in India. Three months later, the hospital says the patient, whoever he is, will have to pay.
Major General Vijay Krishna, CEO, Breach Candy, said, “The hospital authorities never made any media statement on ‘free treatment’. The hospital will provide all the back-up services required as in any other case and the charges will be as per the standard rules of the hospital.”
He added the idea for the obesity clinic was still being considered, and it would take “a few months before we take any decision”. “In fact, if the expert committee on the clinic, feels it is not feasible to run an obesity clinic comprising different specialists, then the idea could even be shelved.”
Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Borude, consulting obesity surgeon at Breach Candy Hospital who made the announcement for ‘free treatment’ sticks to his ground.
“Everything, including anaesthetic charges and nursing was to be provided free for the patient by Breach Candy hospital. I made the announcement as a goodwill gesture, and I will not go back on my word. I have sponsors who will fund the operation,” the doctor said.
In response to the media coverage, approximately 3,000 SMSes were received, including messages from Pakistan and the Gulf. The heaviest person, so far, at 415 kg is from UP. Nine other cases are of those weighing between 400 and 414 kg and 27 cases of people weighing over 300 kg. Interestingly, all the shortlisted cases are from north India and 70 per cent are males. But the hospital is yet to arrive at a decision on the patient. | 
