Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Controversy: CM Devendra Fadnavis Sets Up Inquiry Panel; Opposition Stages Protest – Here’s All You Need To Know | Sourced
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday ordered the formation of a committee to inquire into a pregnant woman’s death after she was allegedly refused admission by Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over non-payment of an advance deposit of ₹10 lakh.
“CM Devendra Fadnavis has taken serious note of the incident of a woman’s death after being refused admission at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. He has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the Joint Commissioner of Charity, Pune, to investigate the incident,” a statement from the CMO said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said appropriate action will be taken and the guilty will be punished after the probe. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he said. “The sentiments of the protesters are understood by the government and the guilty will be punished as per law. Citizens should exercise restraint and cooperate with the government,” he added.
The issue was highlighted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Amit Gorkhe on Thursday. In a video message, he claimed that Tanisha Bhise, the wife of his secretary, was refused admission by the hospital, after which she was taken to another hospital where she died after delivering twins.
“Despite an assurance to pay ₹3 lakh immediately, the hospital denied admission to the patient. Even a call was made from Mantralaya to the hospital, but it did not yield any response,” Gorkhe alleged.
“The woman was later taken to another hospital, where she gave birth to twin girls but passed away. This is a serious issue. I request the chief minister to take strict action against the hospital. I will also raise this matter in the upcoming legislative session,” he added.
Gorkhe also met with the top brass of the Pune Police and demanded that the guilty doctors be immediately suspended and a case be registered against them. He said an investigation should be conducted into the “extortion” that is being done at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital despite being a charitable hospital. He further mentioned that the victims should get justice and compensation.
Protests held:
Workers of opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) Congress and the NCP (SP), staged protests outside the hospital and even threw coins at one of the hospital staffers. The Youth Congress workers threw black ink at the hospital entrance and tore down the hospital’s nameplate as a mark of public outrage.
Hospital denies allegations:
The Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital has said in its internal inquiry report that the allegations of denial of admission to a pregnant woman by it over non-payment of Rs 10 lakh as advance amount, were “misleading” and made “out of frustration” by her family.
The woman’s pregnancy was in the high-risk category and her two underweight foetuses of seven months coupled with history of old ailment required Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treatment for at least two months, it said.
The treatment required ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh and the family was advised that in case of lack of funds, they could admit the patient to the government-run Sassoon General Hospital for a complicated surgery, it added.
