IMA condemns attacks on hospitals following pregnant woman’s death in Pune 

IMA Maharashtra condemns violence at hospitals, urges balanced policy for private healthcare to ensure access and accountability.

The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned violence and vandalism at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Charitable Hospital as well as the Ashwini Hospital in the aftermath of the death of a pregnant woman who was reportedly denied admission and later passed away while receiving care at the hospital.   

Dr. Santosh Kadam, President of IMA Maharashtra, said, “We expresses deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident at Dinanath Mangeshkar Charitable Hospital where a patient was reportedly denied admission and later passed away while receiving care at a corporate hospital. At the same time, we unequivocally condemn the acts of vandalism that followed - both at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Charitable Hospital, as well Dr. Sushrut Ghaisas’s private establishment Ashwini Hospital. It is deeply disheartening that, amidst mourning, mob justice has found a foothold. Dr. Ghaisas and two generations of his family have served the city for decades with dedication and dignity - an enduring legacy that deserves respect, not retaliation.”  

As investigations into the incident are currently underway, it is important to refrain from jumping to conclusions, Dr. Anil Avhad, Secretary of the IMA, Maharashtra. “Preliminary reports indicate that a deposit was requested - a standard administrative process in private or corporate hospital setups. Consultants in such institutions typically receive only 8–10% of the total billing and have limited, if any, control over hospital administrative decisions, including financial protocols,” he said.  

The IMA has strongly condemned certain “irresponsible” public statements made by political leaders in the aftermath of the incident. “Such remarks not only mislead the public but also unfairly vilify the medical profession, sowing seeds of mistrust and fear among the healthcare community across the state. In what appears to be a knee-jerk reaction, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued sweeping notices to over 500 hospitals in the region, instructing them not to collect deposits,” Dr. Kadam added.  

“While we support the principle of ‘life before ledger’ in medical emergencies, a principal doctor have consistently upheld, we must emphasise that blanket directives risk derailing the functioning of the private healthcare system,” he added. 

The association said that emergency services are routinely provided by the medical fraternity without demanding advance deposits. However, elective surgeries, chronic treatments, and long-term admissions do warrant a financial structure like Deposit to ensure smooth functioning. Charitable hospitals receive certain government benefits and are rightly expected to operate differently from private nursing homes, which function entirely without subsidies or grants. It is unfair to conflate the two.  

The IMA has urged the Pune civic authorities to review and withdraw the generalised notice, and instead, adopt a more balanced policy in consultation with stakeholders. The goal must be to preserve both access and accountability.