Special Correspondent
Pune: In a shocking incident that echoes a recent tragedy at Pune’s Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital—where a woman reportedly died after being denied treatment due to a demand for advance payment—a similar case has emerged at Symbiosis University Hospital in Lavale.
A case has been registered against Dr. Praveen Lohote of Symbiosis University Hospital for allegedly demanding Rs. 20,000 before agreeing to perform an emergency surgery. The hospital, which operates as a charitable medical institution under Symbiosis University in Mulshi Taluka, is not permitted to charge patients for emergency care as per norms set by the Charity Commissioner.
According to the complaint filed by the patient’s nephew at Bavdhan Police Station, the woman was brought to the hospital in a critical condition, and doctors advised that immediate surgery was necessary to save her life. However, Dr. Lohote allegedly insisted that the operation would only be performed after a payment of Rs. 20,000 was made.
Despite the hospital being registered under the Charity Commission, which restricts the collection of fees from patients for treatment, the amount was collected under pressure. Following this, legal action was initiated, and the doctor now faces charges for violating medical and ethical guidelines.
This incident has once again raised serious concerns over the ethics and functioning of charitable healthcare institutions in the city.
