A pregnant woman Tanisha Bhise tragically lost her life after the administration of Pune's Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital allegedly stopped her treatment due to a demand for money. The incident has triggered widespread anger across Maharashtra. In response, the hospital's medical director, Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar, issued a statement announcing that no emergency patient will be charged any deposit at Dinanath Hospital going forward.
Dr. Kelkar said Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, established in 2001, was inspired by Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and built with the ideals of service, integrity and transparency. The hospital, he noted, has always operated differently—avoiding commission practices, pharmaceutical sponsorships, and striving to serve the poor through subsidised treatments, affordable diagnostics, and free surgeries for those below the poverty line. The hospital currently handles around 85,000 inpatients, 500,000 outpatients, and 30,000 major surgeries annually.
"In the past, no deposit was taken from patients. However, as the complexity of treatments increased, deposits were introduced for costlier procedures. But yesterday was one of the darkest and most painful days in the hospital’s history," Kelkar said.
Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital Issues Apology
Following the woman's death, protesters stormed the hospital, reportedly assaulting public relations officers, confronting the parents of a senior doctor, and defacing signage bearing the names of Lata and Dinanath Mangeshkar. “This all unfolded in front of TV cameras. Our heads bowed in shame,” Kelkar stated, adding that the board of trustees met urgently to reflect on the matter.
"Amid all the turmoil, one word flashed before us—insensitivity. While it is incorrect to directly link the hospital with the unfortunate death, we are introspecting deeply on whether there was a lack of sensitivity shown toward the patient. Although the woman’s relatives left without informing anyone, I had personally told them to pay only what they could, and we would help," he said.
Dr. Kelkar announced that effective immediately, no emergency patient—whether from the emergency ward, maternity department, or paediatric unit—will be required to pay a deposit. This resolution was unanimously passed by the hospital’s board of trustees.
He concluded by saying, “The truth of the incident will emerge from the government inquiry. However, we take this opportunity to end any form of insensitivity and recommit to our founding ideals. I appeal to the public and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister to take note of our decision.”