Tanisha Bhise death: IMA state unit condemns ‘public statements by political leaders’

The IMA also questioned the ‘knee-jerk reaction’ by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which has issued sweeping notices to over 500 hospitals in the region, instructing them not to collect advance deposits.

“While we support the principle of ‘life before ledger’ in medical emergencies — a principle doctors have consistently upheld — we must emphasise that blanket directives risk derailing the functioning of the private healthcare system,” the statement said.

“It is understood that emergency services are routinely provided by the medical fraternity without demanding advance deposits. However, elective surgeries, chronic treatments and long-term admissions do warrant a financial structure like deposit to ensure smooth functioning,” Dr Santosh Kadam, president, IMA-Maharashtra, said.

According to the statement, charitable hospitals receive certain government benefits and are rightly expected to operate differently from private nursing homes, which function entirely without subsidies or grants. “It is unfair to conflate the two,” the statement added.

The medical body urged the PMC and PCMC to review and withdraw the generalised notice and, instead, adopt a more balanced policy in consultation with stakeholders. “The goal must be to preserve both access and accountability,” the statement said.

According to IMA office-bearers, private healthcare providers currently shoulder nearly 70% of the nation’s health burden, offering quality and accessible care. “To sustain this, it is imperative to foster a conducive and safe working atmosphere for medical professionals, free from fear, violence and politically motivated interference,” Dr Anil Avhad, secretary, IMA-Maharashtra, said.

The state unit of IMA welcomed the stand of IMA Pune for showing solidarity with Dr Sushrut Ghaisas, consultant gynaecologist in the Tanisha Bhise case, and his team. “It is deeply disheartening that, amidst mourning, mob justice has found a foothold. Dr Ghaisas and two generations of his family have served the city for decades with dedication and dignity — an enduring legacy that deserves respect, not retaliation,” IMA office-bearers said.

“As investigations into the incident are currently underway, it is important to refrain from jumping to conclusions. Preliminary reports indicate that a deposit was requested — a standard administrative process in private or corporate hospital setups. Consultants in such institutions typically receive only 8–10% of the total billing and have limited, if any, control over hospital administrative decisions, including financial protocols,” the IMA statement added.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Bhise family during this time of grief,” the statement said. However, it said that isolated incidents should not become the basis for a blanket indictment of the entire medical fraternity.