Preliminary inquiry finds Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital violated medical ethics and legal provisions; further action likely
Pune — A five-member state-appointed inquiry committee has found serious lapses on the part of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital (DMH) in connection with the death of 37-year-old Tanisha alias Ishwari Sushant Bhise, who was allegedly denied admission on financial grounds despite being a high-risk pregnant patient.
Bhise, who was carrying IVF twins and had a complicated medical history, died on March 31, three days after she was turned away from DMH for not furnishing a ₹10 lakh deposit. She was later admitted to Surya Hospital, but her condition worsened.
Hospital Violated Medical Ethics, Nursing Home Act
The inquiry panel, headed by Dr Radhakishan Pawar of the Pune division health services, concluded that DMH refused urgent medical care in violation of both the Nursing Home Act and medical ethics. The committee has submitted its preliminary report to the Pune Police Commissioner and recommended further action. The Hindustan Times has reviewed a letter attached to the findings.
“Had the family paid, she would have been admitted and treatment started. That’s negligence,” said a senior health department official familiar with the report.
The findings indicate that Bhise should have been admitted immediately, given her high-risk status — which included a low-lying placenta, prior oophorectomy, cervical cerclage, and spotting during pregnancy.
Hospital’s Justification Under Scrutiny
DMH has reportedly claimed that Bhise’s condition was not an emergency — a claim the committee flagged as a “grey area” requiring deeper scrutiny. Under the Bombay Public Trust Act and Nursing Home Rules, hospitals receiving government benefits are barred from demanding deposits before admitting patients in urgent need.
State public health minister Prakash Abitkar said the preliminary report points to negligence and assured action will follow after reviewing the findings.
“If the hospital is getting various benefits from the government, then they should not deny admission to patients citing deposit issues,” he added.
Probe Spanned Multiple Hospitals
The probe team visited the Bhise family home on Sunday to record statements in a three-hour inquiry. It had earlier visited DMH and three other hospitals — Surya Hospital, Indira IVF, and Manipal Hospital — to trace the deceased’s medical timeline.
Doctors at Surya Hospital, where Bhise was eventually admitted, said she had arrived with complaints of spotting, and though stable at the time, her death three days later raised grave questions about the initial denial of care.
Police, PMC Investigations Ongoing
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed receipt of the report and said it is being evaluated. Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation has launched a maternal death audit to identify the exact medical cause of Bhise’s death.
A separate probe by the Joint Charity Commissioner is also underway.
This incident has reignited the debate over access to emergency care and the ethics of demanding large deposits, especially from vulnerable patients. If proven, it may lead to legal and regulatory consequences for the hospital, as well as broader policy discussions about healthcare accountability.
