On Thursday, The Uttar Pradesh health department ordered an inquiry into the death of a 59-year-old sick man who allegedly died after he was denied admission by four private hospitals. The family alleged that the hospitals refused to admit him even after they showed them their Ayushman card.

The deceased’s relatives met state minister Shrikant Sharma and filed a complaint. Matlaoov Hussain, 59, who was suffering from fever for the past few days, complained of chest pain on Tuesday night. His daughter Nazia said that after her father’s health deteriorated on Tuesday, they first took him to a private hospital in Civil Lines, but were told that the doctor was on leave. Then, they went to another private hospital, where they were asked to deposit Rs 13,000. As soon as they showed their Ayushman card, they were told that there was no bed availablein their ICU unit.

Nazia further said that when they took him to the third hospital, doctors came and checked her father in the ambulance. The minuteshe told them that they had an Ayushman card, they said that the hospital was in the process of getting empanelled under the Ayushman scheme. The fourth hospital asked them to deposit Rs 15,000 in spite of showing them the card. The authorities told them that they can’t admit her father until they deposit the amount. They kept running from 9pm to 3am and when all the hospitals refused to take him in, her father died waiting for care on the city streets.

Imalda Parveen, a social activist who was with the family, said that all these hospitals were initially ready to admit Hussain but refused after they showed them the Ayushman card. They have met UP Minister Shrikant Sharma who has guaranteedthat action will be taken.