Pregnant woman’s death: Top Pune hospital found guilty of negligence

A stateappointed committee has recommended strict disciplinary action against Punersquos Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital DMH after finding it guilty of negligence in the tragic death of a 37yearold pregnant womanTanisha alias Ishwari Sushant Bhise died on March 31 after allegedly being denied admission owing to her familyrsquos inability to furnish a Rs 10 lakh deposit The inquiry conducted by a fivemember committee constituted by the Directorate of Health Services Maharashtra has brought to light serious lapses in the hospitalrsquos response to a critical emergency caseAfter a thorough review the panel concluded that the hospital ldquofailed to fulfil its legal and ethical responsibility of providing emergency medical care especially in a highrisk maternal caserdquolsquoMade to wait for five hoursrsquoThe report stated that Bhise a resident of Talegaon Dabhade was referred to DMH after developing complications during her pregnancy Despite the seriousness of her condition she was allegedly made to wait without any primary treatment for almost five hoursThe deceased Tanisha alias Ishwari Sushant BhiseHer family repeatedly requested the hospital to begin emergency care but was instead asked to deposit Rs 10 lakh in advance which they could not arrange immediately Due to this delay the family was forced to take her to another hospital where she delivered twins but died laterThe report further mentioned that DMH failed to follow the Clinical Establishments Registration and Regulation Act 2010 which mandates that every registered clinical establishment must provide timely and necessary medical treatment during emergencies The committee viewed this as a grave violation of the patientrsquos rights and basic medical ethicslsquoTake strict actionrsquoIn its detailed recommendations the panel has urged that strict disciplinary action be initiated against the hospital It has been suggested that the hospital be served a showcause notice and depending on the outcome of further investigation the Maharashtra Medical Council and the Pune Municipal Corporation consider reviewing or even suspending its licenceThe panel emphasised that private hospitals must not refuse emergency care based on financial conditions In addition the committee has called for regular audits of emergency case handling in private hospitals and the establishment of robust grievance redressal mechanisms for patients and their familiesThe case has sparked widespread criticism and concern particularly among healthcare advocates and womenrsquos rights groups Senior health officials have assured that action will be taken based on the committeersquos findings and measures will be implemented to prevent such tragic incidents in the futureMaharashtra State Women Commission chairman Rupali Chakankar who met the family members of the deceased said ldquoDMH is responsible for the death of the pregnant woman If Tanisha Bhise had received timely treatment she could have been saved Those responsible will not be spared and strict action will be taken against themrdquo Dr Dhananjay Kelkar from the DMH along with senior officials on Monday held a press conference over the incidentlsquoWe do not ask for depositrsquoWhen asked about whether the Bhise family was indeed asked to make a deposit and whether doctors are even allowed to demand such deposits Dr Kelkar said ldquoOur doctors do not ask patients for depositsmdashsuch practice does not exist in our system The hospital only provides cost estimates to patients and there is no format to mention deposits in thatrdquoHe added ldquoOn that particular day for some unknown reason Dr Sushrut Ghaisas wrote a R10 lakh deposit amount in a box This is truerdquo ldquoDr Ghaisas is an honorary obstetrician and gynaecologist at the hospitalDoctor involved resignsHe has submitted his resignation due to intense public pressure threat calls and harsh criticism Fearing this could affect the treatment of his current patients and unable to focus on his medical duties or even sleep at night he chose to step down from his role at Deenanath Hospitalrdquo added Dr KelkaratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params