Pune, April 4 – Pune's Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital has refuted allegations that it denied admission to a pregnant woman, Ishwari (Tanisha) Bhise, due to her family's inability to pay a ₹10 lakh advance. In an internal inquiry report, the hospital stated that the claims made by Bhise’s family and some political figures were “misleading” and likely made “out of frustration” following her death.
Background of the Incident
Tanisha Bhise, wife of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe's personal assistant Sushant Bhise, was reportedly refused admission by Mangeshkar Hospital on March 28. She died the following day after delivering twin girls at another hospital. Her family alleged that she was denied care due to non-payment of a ₹10 lakh advance, which the hospital has now contested in its detailed report.High-Risk Pregnancy and Financial Estimate
According to the hospital's four-member inquiry committee—comprising Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar (Medical Director), Dr. Anuja Joshi (Medical Superintendent), Dr. Sameer Jog (ICU Head), and Dr. Sachin Vyavhare (Administrator)—the woman's pregnancy was categorized as high-risk.With seven-month underweight twins and a history of previous ailments, doctors anticipated the need for at least two months of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) support. The estimated cost of treatment ranged between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh.
Hospital's Explanation of Events
The report stated that when the family raised concerns about the advance, Dr. Kelkar advised them to pay as much as they could. He assured them of support and mentioned he would discuss the matter with Dr. Sushrut Ghaisas, who was attending the case. However, the patient left the hospital without admission or informing the staff, the report claimed.Dr. Ghaisas had conducted a medical check-up during an OPD visit on March 28 and found the woman to be stable. Though no emergency care was deemed necessary at that point, he advised hospitalisation due to the pregnancy’s complexity. The family was also introduced to NICU doctors, and it was made clear that the treatment would be extensive and expensive.
The hospital also clarified that the family was advised to seek care at the government-run Sassoon General Hospital if financial limitations persisted.
Gaps in Antenatal Care and Medical History
The hospital emphasized that although Bhise had been a patient since 2020 and had undergone a surgery in 2022 under a charity scheme, she had not availed any antenatal care (ANC) at Mangeshkar Hospital during her pregnancy. This, according to the report, was a crucial lapse, especially given the high-risk nature of her condition.In 2023, she was even advised to consider adoption due to medical concerns regarding a safe pregnancy. The report also mentioned that Bhise had been advised to return for weekly check-ups but failed to do so.
Final Observations
The hospital maintained that it did not refuse treatment based solely on financial grounds. It claimed the family left after being informed of the treatment requirements and financial implications. The report concluded that the allegations stemmed from grief and frustration rather than factual denial of care.The hospital further noted that the subsequent hospital where Bhise was admitted may not have been informed about her previous surgery and cancer history, potentially complicating her case.
This case continues to stir public and political attention, highlighting the critical intersection of healthcare access, cost, and transparency in medical emergencies.