Pune: Sassoon Hospital Awaits New Dean as DMER Decision Looms

Pune, 20th June 2024: Pune’s renowned Sassoon General Hospital is currently embroiled in multiple controversies. In response, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has assigned the additional responsibility of acting Dean of Sassoon Hospital to Dr. Chandrakant Mhaske, who currently serves as the Dean of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College and General Hospital. However, Sassoon Hospital urgently requires a new, full-time dean, and DMER will soon announce its decision.

Dr. Ajay Taware, Dr. Shrihari Halnor, and peon Atul Ghatkamble from Sassoon Hospital were arrested for allegedly tampering with blood sample evidence in the Kalyani Nagar Porsche incident involving a minor. Following this, DMER suspended all three individuals, and Dr. Vinayak Kale, the then Dean of Sassoon, was placed on forced leave. Subsequently, Dr. Chandrakant Mhaske assumed additional responsibilities as the Dean of Sassoon Hospital.

Regarding these developments, Maharashtra’s Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif, commented, “Dr. Mhaske was tasked with overseeing two major hospitals, which presented complex challenges. Therefore, Sassoon Hospital will soon have a new dean. The Medical Commissioner and Secretaries have proposed three names of professors, from which one will be selected to lead Sassoon.”