Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Row: Tanisha Bhise's Death Highlighted Discrepancies In Public Healthcare System, Says Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said the death of Tanisha Bhise, a pregnant woman who was allegedly denied admission by Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over demand for a deposit of Rs 10 lakh, has highlighted discrepancies and insensitivity in the public healthcare system.

Pawar said the state government is working to strengthen emergency medical services and plans to enforce a "no denial policy" to ensure patients are not refused treatment in emergencies.

The DCM was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the State Family Welfare Building and Training Centre in Pune and the inauguration of 43 new 'Aapla Dawakhana' clinics.

Terming Bhise's death last month as "heart-wrenching", Pawar said that the incident has caused irreparable pain to her family and deeply wounded the conscience of society.

Bhise, the wife of the private secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, was refused admission over non-payment of a deposit of Rs 10 lakh in the last week of March. She died in another hospital after giving birth to twin daughters.

Pawar said the episode highlighted the continuing discrepancies and insensitivity in the public health system.

"The state government has taken serious cognisance of the matter. A probe has been launched. We have already received preliminary reports, and stringent action will be taken against those found responsible," he said.

The objective was not just to fix responsibility but also to ensure such incidents were not repeated, he said, adding that the state government will not leave any stone unturned to give justice to the family of the deceased woman.

The DCM said, "It is our duty to improve healthcare services. We have taken key decisions in this regard. Rules and regulations for private hospitals will be made more stringent. We are strengthening emergency medical services and enforcing a 'no denial policy' to ensure patients are not refused treatment in emergencies." He added that the government plans to implement a 'healthcare response tracker' to ensure timely and effective treatment.

"There will be a dedicated helpline and a rapid response team to assist patients in emergencies," he said.

He said that the chief minister, the health minister, the medical education minister, and he himself believe that healthcare is not just a profession but a service and social responsibility.

'Revenge must be taken'

Pawar on Friday morning paid tributes to those killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He said that "revenge" must be taken against those responsible to put them in their place.

"At the beginning of the event, we paid tribute to the 27 Indians, including six from Maharashtra, who tragically lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack two days ago. Revenge must be taken to ensure actual places are shown to those responsible for this incident," Pawar said.

He lauded the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pawar expressed confidence that the Indian Army would "eliminate" those behind the terror attack in Kashmir.

"The Prime Minister has already made significant decisions, such as halting water supplies to Pakistan, among other crucial actions. Such incidents must never be repeated in the future, and I am confident that our Indian Army will decisively eliminate those behind this heinous act," Pawar said.