Pregnant Pune woman dies after ‘treatment denied’, CM orders inquiry-OxBig News Network

Social activists and political party workers held demonstrations on Friday (April 4, 2025) over the death of a woman named Tanisha Bhise, who was suffering pregnancy complications. 
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Social activists and political party workers held demonstrations on Friday (April 4, 2025) over the death of a woman named Tanisha Bhise, who was suffering pregnancy complications.

She died after the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, Maharashtra, allegedly refused her treatment. Pune Police have sent statements and documents to the District Medical Council, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level inquiry. Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital also released an internal inquiry report, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Bhise’s demise.

On March 31, Tanisha seven-months pregnant with twins and wife of the personal secretary of a BJP MLC, Amit Gorkhe, died after the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, a charitable trust hospital, allegedly refused emergency treatment, demanding ₹20 lakh per baby for admission.

According to her family, Dr. Sushrut Ghaisas asked her to deposit ₹5 lakh before admission. The family agreed to deposit ₹3 lakh and pay the rest in instalments but was denied admission and asked to shift to Sassoon government hospital. She was rushed to hospital on March 28 after complaining of bleeding. After delivering two baby girls at Surya Hospital in Wakad, she was shifted to Manipal Hospital in Baner, where she succumbed to multi-organ failure.

BJP workers vandalised Dr. Ghaisas’s office, Shiv Sena workers held a tirdi (bier) protest at the hospital, and Congress party workers threw ink on the name board of the hospital, condemning the hospital’s negligence. The demonstrators demanded that the doctors and hospital be charged with culpable homicide.

Waiting for four hours

Social activist and editor of a Marathi web portal, Deepak Jadhav, said, “The pregnant lady was kept waiting for four to five hours when she required immediate treatment, which is a violation of the Maharashtra Nursing Act and Medical Council of India regulations that prohibit advance payments. We demand that a case be filed against the doctor and hospital for negligence and homicide.”

Tanisha’s family informed police about the incident on April 3. Pune City Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam, speaking to The Hindu, said, “We have submitted statements to the Medical Board and are waiting for reports to file the case.”

‘Complaint out of anger’

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital revealed their internal inquiry report on Friday, concluding that the twin pregnancy was dangerous for the patient, antenatal checkups were missed, and a misleading complaint was made out of anger over the hospital’s demand for an advance. The hospital accepted that they quoted ₹10 to 20 lakh for the delivery, considering complications and likely admission to the Neonatal Infant Unit (NICU) for over two months. “Ms. Bhise has been a patient of the hospital since 2020 and was advised to adopt a child. She missed regular check-ups suggested by the doctor due to her risky pregnancy. Dr. Ghaisas suggested Sassoon Hospital so that delivery could go smoothly,” the hospital said in the statement.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called the incident “unfortunate” and “insensitive.” “The trust-run hospital should run properly. We have appointed a high-level committee to not only investigate this case but also take special care that incidents do not occur in the future, and ensure that medical ethics are implemented by hospitals,” said Mr. Fadnavis.

CM has ordered the formation of a committee headed by the Pune-based Joint Commissioner of Charity. According to the government resolution, Deputy Secretary Yamuna Jadhav and others have been named to the panel.

The CMO’s statement called for strict action against nursing homes failing to implement the Charity Patient Scheme as per the directions of the High Court. It also called for the updating of information on the Charity Commissioner’s website concerning the Indigent Patients Fund (IPF) accounts from charitable hospitals.

The family has sought to know how a trust-run hospital could demand ₹20 lakh for delivery. The hospital was granted a lease in February by the government for the construction of “a bridge” at ₹1 per annum. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar asked for a detailed report on Friday from the Pune district collector, and the health department was instructed to hold a transparent and fair inquiry. 

NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule also urged the government to take cognizance of the incident and conduct a thorough investigation. “Even after a call from the ministry, the woman was not treated on time. If the hospital administration does not listen even to the ministry, then, who will listen to the general public? Definite guidelines should be given to hospitals across the State; coin health service policy such that no mother should be denied treatment during childbirth,” Ms. Sule posted on X.