Pune: A tragic incident unfolded when Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune refused to admit a pregnant woman in need of urgent medical care due to her family’s inability to pay an upfront amount of Rs 20 lakh. The refusal led to delays in treatment, ultimately resulting in the woman’s death.
Tanisha Sushant Bhise, a 30-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant with twins, began experiencing heavy bleeding. Her family rushed her to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital on the morning of March 29, hoping to receive immediate care. However, the doctor at the hospital informed them that they needed to pay Rs 20 lakh—Rs 10 lakh for each baby—before the admission could proceed. Despite explaining their financial situation and offering to pay Rs 2.5 lakh upfront, the hospital refused to treat Tanisha unless the full payment was made.
In desperation, the family reached out to various political figures, including personal assistants of ministers and MLAs, but the hospital remained firm in its decision. When no help arrived, Tanisha’s family decided to take her to Sassoon General Hospital. After seeing the crowded and insufficient conditions at Sassoon, they moved her to Surya Hospital in Wakad. By late afternoon, doctors performed a cesarean section, delivering two baby girls. However, Tanisha’s condition worsened.
As Surya Hospital did not have the necessary facilities to treat her, she was transferred to Manipal Hospital in Baner. By this time, Tanisha had suffered a stroke and extensive bleeding, leading to organ failure. She was declared brain dead and passed away at 11:58 p.m. on March 31.
The delays caused by the lack of an ambulance and the multiple transfers from one hospital to another further compromised her health. The family believes that Tanisha could have received immediate and comprehensive care at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, which is equipped with facilities for both maternal and cardiac care.
Deenanath Hospital, which had recently been allocated land by the government for expansion, has faced criticism for prioritizing payments over patient care. Despite numerous attempts to contact hospital representatives, there has been no comment on the incident. Meanwhile, Manipal Hospital clarified that the patient received emergency care at the earlier facilities, but her condition remained critical, eventually leading to her tragic death.
This incident raises concerns about the accessibility and ethics of medical care in private hospitals, especially when it comes to life-threatening emergencies.
