Navi Mumbai: A preliminary inquiry by a committee appointed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has found no negligence on the part of doctors in the death of an eight-month pregnant woman at Rajmata Jijau Hospital in Airoli earlier this month.The committee concluded that the patient, Sonam Dongre, died after suffering a severe anaphylactic (allergic) reaction to a drug, complicated by food aspiration.However, it said its findings are provisional and could change after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submits its report on the injected drug and JJ Hospital issues the final post-mortem report.The preliminary report was tabled by NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde at the corporation’s general body meeting on Monday. It was presented by medical health officer Dr Rajesh Mhatre.Dongre died on July 1, after allegedly developing a severe reaction following an injection administered during treatment, triggering allegations of medical negligence. Another pregnant woman, Richa Mishra, also suffered an adverse reaction but survived.The inquiry committee, headed by Thane civil surgeon Dr Kailash Pawar, included Dr Vijay Kalyankar, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at JJ Hospital, and Dr Suchita Kinjawdekar of the Navi Mumbai Gynaecology and Obstetrics Association. Experts in forensic medicine, pharmaceutical chemistry and anaesthesia were also added to the panel.The committee also examined the case of pregnant patient Pratima Pal, who fell ill during treatment, and reviewed the death of another patient, Pratiksha Khandekar, who died while undergoing treatment on March 17.After visiting the Airoli hospital on July 8, and questioning doctors and other medical staff, the panel submitted its preliminary report on July 20.According to the report, Pal developed only mild side-effects after receiving an Isoxsuprine HCL injection, while Richa Mishra experienced a moderate adverse reaction but recovered. Dongre, however, suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction after being administered a 12mg dexamethasone injection, followed by food aspiration, which the committee said caused her death.The panel said the medical officers at Rajmata Jijau Hospital had followed appropriate treatment protocols and found no evidence of negligence. The final report will be submitted after the FDA’s analysis of the drug and the final post-mortem findings are received.Dongre was admitted to the Airoli hospital on June 30, after developing cramps in the eighth month of her pregnancy. As there was a possibility of premature delivery, she was administered dexamethasone around 3pm on July 1, to accelerate the baby’s lung development and reduce the risk of breathing problems.“Soon after the injection, her condition deteriorated and she became unconscious. When she turned critical, she was shifted to NMMC Hospital in Vashi at around 5.40pm. She did not respond to treatment and was declared dead at 6.15pm,” Mhatre said. He added that Richa Mishra was administered dexamethasone and Duvadilan injections; the latter is used to relax the uterine muscles and prevent premature labour. — George Mendonca
