Latest news with #MaharashtraMedicalCouncil
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Patient death stir at BMC hosp: Lens on doc's ‘behaviour'
Mumbai: Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has sought an explanation from the medical superintendent of BMC-run VN Desai Hospital in Santacruz after receiving a complaint that accused him of escalating tension following the death of a woman and her newborn last Nov by forcibly seizing a relative's phone and smashing it. The deaths, four days after childbirth, had sparked an emotionally charged protest by the woman's relatives, some of whom allegedly attacked a woman doctor. During the ensuing confrontation, the hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Jairaj Acharya, was recorded on a cellphone by one of the relatives. A video that surfaced later showed Dr Acharya snatching the phone. It, however, does not capture it being broken. The complainant alleged that the phone was indeed damaged and that this act provoked the incensed crowd further. "This act outraged the mob and could have marked the beginning of the violence towards other staff," the complaint stated. "The mob could have vandalised the hospital further." Police had lodged a case against 27 members of the crowd involved in the alleged assault, but the complainant asserted that Dr Acharya's actions played a role in escalating the situation. The video showed verbal arguments between relatives and hospital staffers following the deaths. However, a doctor from the hospital said soon after the phone was broken, the mob turned more violent and attacked Dr Acharya and two ward attendants. "Dr Acharya's job was to defuse the situation. It was not right on the relatives' part to bring a mob, but it was also not right for the superintendent to break their phone. That only made things worse," said the doctor. "If Dr Acharya had any objection, he should have asked the relative to stop recording. He could have told the guards to confiscate the phone or should have informed police," the complaint stated. Dr Acharya confirmed that the council has sought an explanation. "MMC has asked me for an explanation for the action and I will be responding to it," he said.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bizman loses vision after cataract surgery, alleges negligence
Mumbai: A 67-year-old Navi Mumbai-based businessman, Rajendra Hardayal Gupta, has approached the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and Vashi police, alleging that he permanently lost vision in his left eye after ophthalmologists Dr Chandan Pandit and Dr DV Pandit – a father-son duo – performed cataract surgery on both his eyes. The doctors overlooked Gupta's diabetic condition and bypassed key pre-operative safeguards which caused the vision loss, Gupta has alleged. Lab investigation showed Rajendra Hardayal Guptawas suffering from an infection in his left eye caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a virulent bacterium known to cause rapid and permanent vision loss if not treated promptly The businessman first consulted the doctors in December 2024. Despite disclosing his uncontrolled diabetes, he was pressured to undergo cataract surgery on his right eye, he told Hindustan Times. 'I was worried about the risks. But they kept saying, 'We've done surgeries on diabetics worse than you. Nothing will go wrong',' he said. The first surgery was performed on December 31, 2024, after Gupta made an advance payment of ₹ 70,000. Although he experienced a poking sensation, constant discomfort, and blurred vision in the right eye after the surgery, the doctors asked him to be patient and said things would improve with time. The doctors pushed him for a surgery on the left eye, which was performed on March 27, 2025 after he paid an additional ₹ 30,000. Once again, Gupta told the doctors that he was diabetic and his right eye had not healed yet, and asked if it was okay to go ahead. The doctors insisted that everything would normalise after the second surgery. Two days later, Gupta's left eye went dark. 'I could feel pain and pressure but couldn't see a thing,' he said. 'When I went to the doctor on April 6, he told me an ulcer had formed and referred me to another centre.' At the centre where he was referred, a specialist said he was suffering from a severe corneal infection and recommended urgent treatment or corneal transplant if vision did not return. Since Gupta could not afford further surgery, his daughter Deepali took him to another doctor who ran some investigations. The reports showed he was suffering from an infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a virulent bacterium known to cause rapid and permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections occur when the bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, especially in people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. Gupta's family contends he got infected due to his diabetic condition, which weakens the body's ability to fight infections, and possible lapses in surgical hygiene, such as using sterile instruments, maintaining aseptic techniques, and disinfecting the operating environment. 'We kept informing the doctor, but he kept switching eye drops without proper follow-up or preventive care,' said Deepali. 'Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapidly damages the eye—if they had acted in time, my father's vision might have been saved.' Deepali accused Dr Chandan Pandit of not having a medical degree. 'He uses his father's credentials and signs off documents under that name, which is unethical and possibly illegal,' she alleged. Dr Chandan Pandit said he and his father had fulfilled their duty in good faith and denied all of Gupta's allegations. 'There was no negligence. The first eye developed a corneal ulcer a week later, which can happen to diabetic patients even without surgery,' he said. 'My father, a qualified senior surgeon, operated on him. Other patients operated before and after him had normal recovery.' The doctor characterised Gupta's infection as 'an unfortunate immune response'. Regarding concerns about his credentials as a doctor, he said, 'Our MMC registration is under renewal. It's a standard procedure every three years. Everything is under process.' The MMC confirmed receipt of Gupta's complaint and said a preliminary inquiry was underway. Meanwhile, Gupta awaits justice, unable to perform daily chores or run his business. 'These surgeries have stolen my sight and independence,' he said. 'I only want accountability so that others aren't left in darkness.'
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Mumbai police nabs doctor with fake degrees, fraudulently obtained passport and IDs
MUMBAI: Worli police on Wednesday arrested an orthopaedic surgeon who is attached to a few five-star hospitals in the western suburbs for allegedly practising medicine with fake degrees, endangering patients' lives, threatening individuals, and misusing personal documents to fraudulently obtain official IDs and a passport. Senior inspector of Worli police station Ravindra Katkar said Dr Atul Wankhede was arrested based on a complaint filed by a food delivery boy, Avinash Suresh Saminder (24), from Chembur against the doctor's treatment for his back pain. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Saminder suffered from a chronic spine condition since 2016-17. After learning about the doctor online, he reportedly consulted him at a suburban hospital on Nov 19, 2024, for severe back pain. According to the complaint, Wankhede dismissed his pain as minor and prescribed painkillers, in addition to some exercises. Saminder's condition reportedly worsened after following the doctor's advice. He discussed it with his friend, Ashok Kabale, who advised against following Wankhede's treatment. Kabale alleged that Wankhede had falsely used the residential address of one Prithviraj Ratanlal Bhatia in Juhu — long vacated by a mutual acquaintance — to obtain an Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, and other documents under false pretences, according to the FIR. After finding out about the fake documents, Saminder wrote to the Maharashtra Medical Council — a quasi-judicial organisation that has the power to suspend or revoke licences of allopathic doctors — to ascertain if Wankhede's degree was authentic. As per the FIR, MMC officials told him that the doctor's degree was under probe since 2015. Saminder then lodged a complaint with police.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Doctor held with fake degrees, fraudulently obtained passport, IDs
Mumbai: Worli police on Wednesday arrested an orthopaedic surgeon who is attached to a few five-star hospitals in the western suburbs for allegedly practising medicine with fake degrees, endangering patients' lives, threatening individuals, and misusing personal documents to fraudulently obtain official IDs and a passport. Senior inspector of Worli police station Ravindra Katkar said Dr Atul Wankhede was arrested based on a complaint filed by a food delivery boy, Avinash Suresh Saminder (24), from Chembur against the doctor's treatment for his back pain. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Saminder suffered from a chronic spine condition since 2016-17. After learning about the doctor online, he reportedly consulted him at a suburban hospital on Nov 19, 2024, for severe back pain. According to the complaint, Wankhede dismissed his pain as minor and prescribed painkillers, in addition to some exercises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Saminder's condition reportedly worsened after following the doctor's advice. He discussed it with his friend, Ashok Kabale, who advised against following Wankhede's treatment. Kabale alleged that Wankhede had falsely used the residential address of one Prithviraj Ratanlal Bhatia in Juhu — long vacated by a mutual acquaintance — to obtain an Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, and other documents under false pretences, according to the FIR. After finding out about the fake documents, Saminder wrote to the Maharashtra Medical Council — a quasi-judicial organisation that has the power to suspend or revoke licences of allopathic doctors — to ascertain if Wankhede's degree was authentic. As per the FIR, MMC officials told him that the doctor's degree was under probe since 2015. Saminder then lodged a complaint with police.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
MMC suspends licence of two Sassoon doctors in Porsche accident blood swap case
The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) on Monday suspended the licences of two doctors from Sassoon General Hospital who were arrested for allegedly swapping blood samples and tampering with the alcohol report of the minor driver involved in the May 19 Porsche Taycan crash in Kalyaninagar, officials said. According to MMC officials, the suspended doctors include Dr Ajay Taware, former head of the forensic sciences department, and Dr Shrihari Halnor, former casualty medical officer. Pune Police had arrested both doctors, along with a Class IV mortuary staffer, in connection with the case in May last year. Dr Vinky Rughwani, administrator, MMC, confirmed the action, stating that both doctors have been suspended pending the outcome of the council's inquiry. 'They are barred from practicing as registered medical practitioners until the inquiry is completed. Both are currently in judicial custody, and their case hearing has not yet commenced,' he said. The council had issued notices to both doctors in May 2023, seeking an explanation within seven days and warning of disciplinary action in case of non-compliance. The notices cited serious corruption allegations against the doctors, constituting a breach of medical ethics and professional conduct. Dr Rughwani said, 'The council has the authority to suspend the licence of practicing doctors in cases involving ethical violations. In this instance, notices were issued after the matter came to light through media reports.'
