Can Indian Railways Help with Medical Costs for My Father's Emergency Surgery?

My father is in service in the Indian Railways (South Eastern Division-Howrah Station) for more than 20 years. He is now 52 years old. On 17th April 2011, he was feeling uneasy and returned home from the office. Suddenly, he started experiencing severe pain in the lower abdomen. We had to admit him to the local State General Hospital. Since 17th April was a Sunday, there was only one doctor present that day. Unfortunately, the first aid treatment given by the doctor was unsuccessful. He then referred us to a private nursing home where a doctor detected that my father had a stone in his ureter. They decided to perform microsurgery to remove the stone. Thankfully, my father is now out of danger. However, we had to pay a lump sum amount of Rs. 35,000.00 to the nursing home. As a middle-class family, this amount is substantial for us, especially considering we have no medical insurance.
My question is: Can we expect to receive reimbursement for this amount from the Indian Railways?
Please assist me as soon as possible.

Hello Papan.Subhajit,

Have you checked with the concerned Railways authorities? They will be the best people to confirm, either way. Or is it that you did so & they told you that he is NOT eligible?

To the extent I know of Railway rules, you should have admitted him to the Local Railway Hospital--Howrah should be having one. If the nearest Railway Hospital is very far away, then the local Govt/ESI General Hospital should be okay. I think they also have a list of Private hospitals in every state/city that can admit their staff in emergencies.

Also, I don't think Railways have any limits for medical expenses--as long as the documentation is in place [bills, prescriptions, reports, etc]. Just check with the concerned Railways people & you should have the answer.

Regards,
TS