Pune : In the wake of the tragic death of a seven-month pregnant woman, the Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has come out in strong support of Dr Sushrut Ghaisas, the gynecologist at the center of the controversy, denouncing the public backlash and what it termed a “biased trial by media.”
The Case
The deceased woman, reportedly facing serious pregnancy complications and carrying twins, was allegedly denied admission at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital on March 31 due to non-payment of an advance of ₹10 lakh. Despite the husband’s willingness to pay ₹2.5 lakh immediately, the patient was allegedly turned away, prompting the family to shift her to another hospital. Tragically, she died shortly after delivering her twin daughters.
The woman was the wife of the personal secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, which added political weight to the incident and intensified media scrutiny.
Fallout and Reactions
Following the uproar, Dr Ghaisas resigned from his post at the hospital, citing public anger, threatening calls, and social media vilification. Matters escalated when members of the BJP’s women’s wing allegedly vandalized the clinic of Dr Ghaisas’ mother in Kothrud, prompting widespread concern from the medical community.
In response, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) issued a notice to Dr Ghaisas, asking for a detailed explanation of the events within four days. Simultaneously, the State Health Department formed a five-member panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death.
The panel concluded that Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital failed to fulfill its responsibility by refusing admission to the woman when she required urgent care.
FOGSI Condemns “Harsh and Misdirected Action”
In a formal statement, FOGSI voiced full support for Dr Ghaisas and criticized the treatment meted out to him:
“Dr Sushrut Ghaisas is a member of good standing… FOGSI deeply condemns the misdirected and harsh action he has faced in the wake of a maternal death in which he was not directly involved. He has faced threats and professional consequences which are unnecessary and illogical.”
The federation also emphasized that violence against doctors—physical or otherwise—threatens the integrity of healthcare and called for restraint and due process in addressing such sensitive matters.
“FOGSI denounces these events in the strongest possible terms… Violence against doctors takes many forms. It extends beyond the physical and impacts healthcare providers in multiple ways.”
What’s Next?
With both a regulatory investigation and public opinion pressing forward, the coming days may determine not only the professional fate of Dr Ghaisas but also broader implications for patient rights, hospital admission policies, and doctor protections in India’s healthcare system.
This case underscores the fragile trust between healthcare providers and the public, highlighting the need for systemic clarity, ethical accountability, and protection of medical professionals from targeted harassment pending official inquiry.
