Pune: A conflict has erupted between the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health department and the dean in charge of Bharatratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College following complaints that doctors at the civic-run Kamala Nehru Hospital were frequently absent and allegedly neglecting patient care.
Complaint Over Doctors’ Absenteeism
The issue came to light after PMC Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Neena Borade, sent a letter to the college’s dean-in-charge, Dr. Shilpa Pratinidhi, seeking an explanation regarding complaints of irregular attendance and inadequate supervision of patients by doctors in the internal medicine department.
The complaint was originally raised by Dr. Prashant Bothe, the hospital’s medical superintendent, in a letter dated August 18, 2025. He alleged that doctors were failing to record patient notes after rounds, often delegating the task to interns, resulting in inaccurate documentation. He also stated that several doctors frequently took leave, department heads remained absent, and emergency doctors signed attendance before leaving early.
“Doctors take leave every second and fourth Saturday, heads of departments are often missing, and emergency department doctors leave after marking attendance,” Dr. Bothe stated in his letter.
PMC Seeks Explanation
Acting on these allegations, Dr. Borade issued a communication to Dr. Pratinidhi seeking clarification on the complaints and details of the corrective measures planned against the erring doctors.
However, this directive reportedly triggered a confrontation between the two officials. Sources said Dr. Pratinidhi verbally complained to PMC Additional Commissioner Pradeep Chandran, questioning Dr. Borade’s authority to issue such instructions.
A senior civic health department official told TOI, “Dr. Pratinidhi claimed that as the dean, she is at par with Dr. Borade, since the medical college and civic health department are separate administrative entities.”
College Denies Irregularities
Responding to the controversy, Dr. Shilpa Pratinidhi said, “All work at the medical college and the hospital is going on smoothly. Our doctors regularly visit the hospital and treat patients. We will speak to doctors who miss duty hours, and appropriate action will be taken if required.”
She clarified that no formal notice had been received from the PMC’s health department but confirmed that “instructions regarding some issues” were shared.
Background: NMC Notice for Deficiencies
This internal dispute comes just five months after the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a show-cause notice to Bharatratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College for significant deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty, and facilities.
As previously reported by Medical Dialogues, the NMC had questioned why the college’s recognition should not be revoked and proposed a ₹1 crore penalty for non-compliance with regulatory norms.
Next Steps
With both the PMC health department and college administration asserting jurisdiction, officials say the civic body may convene a joint meeting to clarify administrative roles and streamline hospital oversight. Meanwhile, the complaints regarding absenteeism and patient care lapses are under internal review.
