Joshi Hospital, Maharashtra Medical Foundation — Local services in Pune

"In nothing do men more nearly approach Gods, than in giving health to men" - Marcus Tullius Cicero I thought this quote signifies the unfettered trust my mom shows in her doctors.

"The good physician treats the disease. The great physician treats the patient who has the disease" - William Osler This is my wish and prayer for all the physicians at Joshi hospital. May all of our community feel in safe hands and well taken care of here.

Joshi hospital Emergency department did an excellent job in reviving and recuperating my father from his COVID related complications.

My sister and I rushed in. But, we had a very disappointing experience with the main general physician (GP) doctor assigned to us by default in Joshi hospital.

For past 8 yrs our GP has been seeing my dad regularly, but been unable to diagnose Neurological disease. Our GP insisted that symptoms are just in his mind and called it clearly "a psychiatric case" (verbatim).

Seeing an obvious shake in papa's hands, forearms, a constant shake in his toes, legs and blank stares and stony eyes, my sister and I insisted he be examined by a neurological doctor. When we followed up again and again with our observations, Our GP was surprised at these observations. However, the "external" (Non Joshi Hospital doctor) Neurologist confirmed them, and showed us even more symptoms that indicate obvious Parkinsonism.

My Dad was finally diagnosed by an external doctor with Parkinson - stage 4 : irreversible and bed riddden.

Why wasn't this caught earlier? Within a matter of 8 years, 2 of which were in COVID times: My dad's fear of falling, anxiety, hallucinations and clinically observable progression in trouble walking with a stick, then walker, then wheelchair and now being bed-ridden was termed as "a psychiatric case" and treated with heavy psychiatric medicines that in fact accelerate Parkinsons disease (as noted by the neurologist, who ordered there be no more psychiatric examinations for my dad).

We had to bring papa back into ICU in 1 week post discharge from joshi hospital as his BP dropped very very low and he was unable to breathe. Once again the ICU experience was life saving 🙏 After care before discharge was dismal: our dad's refusal of food/liquids after 1st bite was termed senile behavior by our GP who suggested we force papa to eat. That just didn't "feel" right. So we switched over to DM hospital Pune, with much higher reviews as they have the technology to detect swallowing issues in flight. Parkinson related swallowing issues were confirmed and the best Neurologist and chest physician were now making crucial decisions. Now my dad has a stomach tube for feeding. His condition is fairly stable, given his age of 75 and health status.

To err is human. But I share this experience, so those who care for life: do not trust doctors in a heart beat, to just circle in and out of the OPD and beat around the bushes never getting to a root -cause diagnosis.

Never be afraid to ask questions. If the doctor turns your questions into moot points: change the doctor. Listen to ur gut feel and seek Specialist doctor care and Please Please CHECK hospital REVIEWS before admitting your dear ones there.

If we had the correct diagnosis 4 years ago, Parkinson could have been reversed or at least contained.

Now my dad is in palliative care for life: never coming back home.

May your story be...

Joshi Hospital used to be one of the finest hospitals in Pune Central area, with some of the most celebrated yet down-to-earth doctors practicing here.

But that seems to have changed...

The recent experience was not good at all. A few red flags:

1. Without much justification, we were asked to get admitted into the ICU. When you have gone to the hospital with emergency, as a patient, you don't ask questions such as "why", so we simply complied.
2. Every staff member in the ICU was wondering why we were in the ICU. They were chatting privately among themselves which could be heard by us. There was actually no need to monitor the patient beyond the first couple of hours so it did not make sense to keep us in the ICU beyond the first couple of hours.
3. There were multiple visits by a physician to "examine" the patient. However, beyond talking niceties and telling the patient that he is fine, the physician did not do any examination whatsoever (didn't even use stethoscope). In fact, during one such "visit", the physician even forgot to come to our bed, but the nurse ran to him, brought him to our bed, the physician again exchanged some niceties and left. The sad part is that for each of these niceties (including the last almost forgotten visit), it cost us Rs. 1,800 per "visit".
4. Similar excessive charges were incurred for a completely useless visit by a dietician (we did not ask for her) and 3 visits by surgeon (who did not do anything - all work was done by the nurse). Mind you - the nursing and the related procedure charges were additional!!
5. I can even understand the physician visits and can understand that beyond niceties, they are taking a judgment call about the overall well-being of the patient, but still, the charge of Rs. 1,800 per visit seems excessive. Even in the nicest of the hospitals, this charge would be considered excessive. And it's not as if the doctor is visiting us at our home and hence charging high amount. We are at their hospital!
6. After insisting that the stay in hospital doesn't seem warranted, we were discharged, only to find more charges: administrative charges of 10%, no cashless facility for one of the most popular TPAs, and an additional hefty charge for getting the hospital's stamp on the insurance reimbursement form.

All in all, I felt that the hospital has gone completely money-minded now. Perhaps due to increasing competition by more sophisticated hospitals, Joshi Hospital is under pressure to extract a much as possible from the existing patients. I don't know the problem, but I am very certain this practice was not right.

I have a soft corner for such old reputed good institutions in Pune, and I deeply care about them; so I really hope someone at Joshi Hospital reads this review and internalizes this problem (instead of becoming defensive and ignoring it at their own peril).

I will need to think twice now before going to Joshi Hospital...

One of my family member was recently admitted to Joshi hospital for a Kidney Stone related procedure. We had the services of three top class doctors with immense knowledge and experience. Dr. A.S. Phadke (Physician), Dr. Talaulikar (Urosurgeon, and Dr. Gokhale (Anesthesiologist). All the 3 doctors played a big role in guiding me and my family to take the correct steps related to necessary treatment measures for my family member based on the tests done in the current Covid scenario. My family member was treated very well and the hospital staff took fabulous care of my family member with timely monitoring of medications and everything related to the procedure. The hospital staff was extremely friendly. The service provided by each staff member was top class. Everyone was very polite which was pleasing to see. Besides this, the cleanliness level in the room was top class. There was regular cleaning of the room. The food provided by the canteen was hygienic and nice at subsidized rates. All doctors kept in touch with updates and kept me and my family reassured of everything diligently. The doctors were always available if and when needed. Overall, I would like to thank the three doctors, hospital staff, and the room service team for this top class care and treatment provided to my family member amidst the Covid Pandemic and for helping my family member...