Pune liver transplant deaths: Probe halts after Sassoon Hospital cites specialists shortage

Pune: The investigation into the liver transplant deaths at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune, where both the donor and the recipient passed away due to alleged post-transplant complications, remains uncertain after Sassoon General Hospital (SGH), which was assigned to probe the matter, refused to move forward with the investigation, citing a shortage of specialist doctors.

According to SGH officials, the hospital currently does not have expert doctors, such as a gastroenterologist or a liver transplant surgeon, required to evaluate the case. In the absence of such specialists, the hospital stated it is unable to conduct the investigation.

Also read- Pune Liver Transplant Deaths: Family questions delay in medical negligence probe

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a woman who had donated a part of her liver to her husband tragically died after he passed away following a transplant surgery at Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, raising serious concerns about post-transplant complications. In response to the incident, the Maharashtra health department issued a notice to the hospital. The transplant took place on August 15 at the Deccan branch of Sahyadri Hospital, a well-known speciality facility. The patient, a 49-year-old man suffering from advanced liver disease, underwent the surgery with a liver donation from his wife.

The family had placed all their hopes on the surgery, even taking a loan of Rs 12 lakh to fund the procedure. However, their worst nightmare unfolded just days later. The recipient passed away just two days after the procedure, on August 17. Four days later, on August 21, the donor also died.

Last month, the deceased woman’s family alleged that the police had not even referred the case to SGH’s medical board to determine whether there was any medical negligence. After the case was finally referred, SGH declined to investigate due to the shortage of expert doctors.

Confirming this, Dr Yallapa Jadhav, medical superintendent, SGH, told HT, "We have sent a letter to the police on Thursday stating our inability to conduct the probe into medical negligence in this case. To evaluate this case, we need expert doctors, such as a gastroenterologist and a liver transplant surgeon. However, we do not have these experts at our hospital. We have these private doctors who work on an honorarium basis and come to the hospital to provide patient care as and when required. However, we don’t think it is justified to include them in the committee to conduct the probe."

Until allegations of negligence are proven, the health department has suspended the hospital’s liver transplant license temporarily and directed an expert committee to submit its report within four weeks. The eight-member committee visited the hospital on September 25, 2025 and has submitted its report to the director of health services.

Deputy director of health services, Dr Bhagwan Pawar, who is also the member-secretary of this committee, said, "The committee has already submitted its report to the director of health services. A review meeting will be held next week via video conference to decide the next course of action."

Also read- Pune Liver transplant deaths: Health Dept sets up 8-member probe panel