Tanisha Bhise death: Treat emergency patients without seeking advance deposit, PMC directs hospitals

“Pune Municipal Corporation has issued a notice to all hospitals (charitable or otherwise) in Pune ordering them to not demand advance payment from any patient in life-threatening medical emergencies. This has anyway been followed by our members by their own volition and compassionate nature since the very beginning. However, the exact nature and definition of emergency needs to be clarified and be left to the treating doctor. Certain guidelines in this regard have been issued previously,” Dr Sunil Ingale, president, IMA, said.

“It is incumbent upon patients to pay a deposit in non-emergency situations. The extent of treatment in emergencies is to be decided by the treating doctor,” the IMA president said.

It also demanded that in emergency situations, 108 ambulance services should be made available to shift patients. “Fear and doubt in the minds of both patients and doctors will cripple our already struggling healthcare system,” Dr Ingale said.

Tanisha, who died at Manipal Hospital on March 31 after giving birth to twins on March 29 at Surya Hospitals, had visited Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital on March 28. Tanisha’s husband Sushant, the personal secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, and family members have alleged authorities at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital sought a Rs 10 lakh advance deposit. Tanisha later sought treatment at another hospital but died.

‘Acts of vandalism have created an atmosphere of fear’

The medical fraternity in the city has expressed concern over the manner in which certain associations have vandalised hospitals in the wake of Bhise’s death. On Tuesday, IMA held a meeting and expressed concern over how certain associations destroyed some of the property of Ashwini hospital and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. “Despite investigations being underway, certain associations vandalised the hospitals. Destruction of property of Ashwini hospital and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, catering to thousands of patients on a daily basis, disrupts the humanitarian services. We strongly condemn this act,” Dr Sanjay Patil, chairman, Hospital Board of India, Pune chapter, told The Indian Express. “We convened a meeting today considering what has happened in Pune and, while we have expressed our heartfelt condolences to the Bhise family, we are extremely concerned over these attacks and acts of vandalism that have created an atmosphere of extreme fear and apprehension among the medical fraternity,” Dr Patil said.

IMA Pune has now demanded that as a stakeholder, they should be included in the committee proceedings. Later in a statement, the IMA said that Dr Sushrut Ghaisas (who resigned from Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over allegations of delaying treatment that led to the death of Bhise), was acting in the capacity of medical consultant, whose primary responsibility was medical care of the patient, which was never refused by him. “Logistics, billing, insurance, charity and other details fall under the purview of hospital administration and various committees are investigating the current case with regards to medical negligence and dereliction of hospital duties,” Dr Patil said.

Hospitals condemn ruckus

At the monthly meeting of the Association of Hospitals in Pune on Tuesday, members condemned the vandalism following Bhise death. Dr H K Sale, president of the Association of Hospitals in Pune which includes more than 40 hospitals, said no one should be allowed to break the law. “The first priority is to stabilise the patient in any emergency,” Dr Sale added.