State slaps ₹10 Lakh fine on DMH over denial of treatment

Healthcare suffering due to PMC's poor budget allocation

- Vicky Pathare

PUNE: Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital has been fined ₹10 lakh by a government-appointed committee for violating key provisions under the Maharashtra State Public Charitable Trust Scheme. The committee, led by joint charity commissioner Rajni Kshirsagar, found the hospital guilty after probing the death of Tanisha Bhise—a pregnant woman who allegedly died after being denied admission due to her family's inability to pay a ₹10 lakh advance.

The case brought to light serious lapses in the enforcement of guidelines meant to protect patients in emergencies. As per a government resolution dated April 4, the hospital's refusal to provide immediate care breached Clause III of the charitable hospital norms, which mandate that no advance payment should be demanded in emergency cases and life-saving treatment must be provided without delay.

Further, investigations revealed that the hospital violated its obligations under Section 41AA of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, which requires charitable hospitals with annual expenses exceeding ₹5 lakh to earmark 2% of their billing towards an Indigent Patients' Fund (IPF). This fund is meant to ensure free or subsidised care for the economically weaker sections.