The Pune Municipal Corporation's health department issued a notice on Wednesday to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, demanding submission of all medical records and case papers within 24 hours related to the death of a six-year-old girl during a routine eye procedure on Monday. The girl's family has filed a medical negligence complaint with the police, alleging that the surgery, for which she was pre-certified as fit, led to internal bleeding and a fatal cardiac arrest.
Family's Account of the Incident
The child's father, Jitendra Bagade, a mason from Ahilyanagar, recounted the events to the Times of India. He stated that his daughter had a history of squint and cataract surgeries as an infant. When her vision began to deteriorate, they consulted Dr. Nishita Borde at a clinic in Shirur, who suspected glaucoma and recommended treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, where she is a consulting ophthalmologist.
Bagade explained that all necessary medical tests were completed on May 14 and 15, and the child was cleared for surgery on May 18. The tragedy unfolded within minutes of the operation. He recalled, 'My daughter was taken into the operating theatre at 8am in a normal condition. Within half an hour, Dr. Borde called me into the OT. She said my daughter had coughed up blood and her heart had stopped. They said they were trying to revive her.' Despite being moved to the ICU, the girl was declared dead at 11:30am.
Demand for Answers
The family has demanded an explanation for how a localized eye procedure could escalate into internal bleeding and cardiac arrest. Bagade added, 'We filed a medical negligence complaint to uncover the truth and ensure this never happens to another child.'
Police Investigation
The Alankar police have initiated a formal investigation. Senior Police Inspector Ulhas Kadam stated, 'We are currently questioning approximately 20 people involved in the case. We will refer the matter to the medical negligence board at Sassoon General Hospital. Their expert opinion will determine if an FIR for medical negligence will be registered.'
PMC Action
Simultaneously, the Pune Municipal Corporation's health department has demanded all medical records and case papers from the hospital. Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer, PMC, said, 'We have issued a notice to the hospital to submit all necessary documents within 24 hours.'
Hospital Response
The hospital administration termed the incident 'unfortunate' and confirmed that an internal inquiry has been initiated. However, they declined to comment on specific questions regarding the surgical complications or the girl's medical condition.
The girl's final rites were performed on Wednesday in her family's native village, Gondia. This incident marks the second major controversy at the hospital in 14 months. In March 2025, a pregnant woman died after delivery; her family alleged the hospital had initially refused admission because they could not provide a Rs 10 lakh advance.
