Patient dies at Pune Hospital, PMC issues notice over alleged delay in emergency treatment

Pune: A 46-year-old woman died while undergoing treatment at Surya Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, with her family alleging that a delay in emergency treatment over advance payment led to her death. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a show-cause notice to the hospital and sought an explanation over the allegations of negligence.

According to the family, the woman was taken to the hospital in the early hours after she developed severe breathlessness. They alleged that although doctors advised admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), treatment was delayed until part of the advance payment was deposited. The family claimed her condition worsened during this period and she later died. 

The hospital, however, has denied the allegations, stating that the patient arrived in a critical condition and was attended to immediately. It stated that its clinical team initiated the required investigations and treatment without delay and that the patient's relatives were regularly informed about her condition while all standard medical protocols were followed.

As per a report by TOI, the family member of the patient said, "The doctor said my mother needed ICU admission but insisted we deposit at least Rs 40,000 in advance. After some time, we were able to deposit a first instalment of Rs 15,000. By 7.30 am, we paid another Rs 15,000."

Following the woman's death, her body was sent to Sassoon Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Acting on the family's complaint, the PMC health department sought an explanation from the hospital and asked it to submit all relevant records related to the case.

The incident also triggered protests outside the hospital. Demonstrators demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the woman's death and sought legal action against the hospital management, doctors and staff, alleging that a delay in providing treatment had contributed to her death.

The PMC said it will examine the hospital's response and the documents submitted before deciding on any further action.