Citizens Demand Stricter Rules for Private Hospitals, PMC Under Pressure
Pune |
Public outrage is intensifying across Pune after a woman reportedly died following her denial of admission at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital for not paying a ₹10 lakh deposit. She delivered twin daughters but passed away at another hospital, sparking widespread anger and raising serious questions about the accountability of private hospitals.
In the wake of the incident, citizens, activists, and political groups—particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—are calling for urgent reforms in the private healthcare sector. The primary demand: strict enforcement of the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act, 1949, and the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
Dr. Abhijit More, AAP’s Maharashtra state secretary, has formally urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate action. He insists that all private hospitals must display critical information at their entrances—grievance redressal contacts, toll-free helplines, name of the responsible PMC officer, and a clearly visible tariff list for 15 essential services such as surgery, ICU, anaesthesia, and consultations.
According to PMC officials, Pune has around 850 private hospitals and clinics registered under the Act. The civic body claims it is already operating a grievance helpline—1800 233 4151—to address patient complaints. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 35 complaints were recorded, with 23 already filed this financial year.
“We’ve issued show-cause notices to 97 hospitals for non-compliance,”
said Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Chief at PMC.
“Most hospitals are following the rules. Only ten are pending, and we are ensuring they comply.”
However, health activists remain unconvinced. Sharad Shetty, a long-time healthcare rights campaigner, argued,
“Without real-time monitoring, transparent information, and strong penalties, many private hospitals will continue operating without accountability.”
With the tragedy at Deenanath Hospital still fresh in public memory, pressure is mounting on the PMC and Maharashtra government to take visible and immediate steps to protect patient rights and ensure transparency in the functioning of private hospitals.
