The Frontier Lifeline Hospital in Chennai held ten children and two adults as hostages after they failed to clear their bills for cardiac operations.

The children were brought in by an international NGO, Kids First Fund from Guyana. This is not the first time the NGO has availed the services of the hospital. The relationship between the NGO and the hospital was on for the past four years. The NGO brings in children who are suffering from heart diseases for treatment here.

The co-coordinator of the NGO Varshine Singh was detained along with the ten children and 2 adults while trying to leave the hospital without clearing the bill amount which ran to the tune of $89,200.

It was learnt that it was a practice followed by the NGO to repay the amount after collecting money from fundraising programs.

The children held placards with markings ‘HELP US’ through the glass window. The police intervened and stated that there is no written document on the financial aspect.

Calling the incident unfortunate Dr KM Cherian stated, “There was a big misunderstanding. May be my absence caused it but our relationship is still intact. What happened was unfortunate.”

After the police and the chief doctor stepped in, the hostages were freed.