PMC serves notice to Deenanath Hospital to submit medical records of girl’s death

Pune: The PMC's health department on Wednesday issued a notice to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital to submit within 24 hours all medical records and case papers related to the death of a six-year-old girl during a routine eye procedure on Monday.The girl’s family has filed a complaint of medical negligence with the police, alleging that the surgery, for which she was pre-certified as "fit", led to internal bleeding and a fatal cardiac arrest.The child’s father, Jitendra Bagade, a mason from Ahilyanagar, told TOI, "My daughter had a history of squint and cataract surgeries as an infant. When her vision began to deteriorate, we took her to a clinic in Shirur, where Dr Nishita Borde suspected that she had glaucoma and recommended that we take her to Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital, where she is a consulting ophthalmologist."“We completed all my daughter's medical tests on May 14 and 15, and she was cleared for surgery on May 18,” he said. The tragedy unfolded within minutes of the operation. "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,” Bagade recalled.

Despite being moved to the ICU, she was declared dead at 11.30am.The family has demanded an explanation for how a localised eye procedure could escalate into internal bleeding and cardiac arrest. “We filed a medical negligence complaint to uncover the truth and ensure this never happens to another child,” Bagade added.The Alankar police have initiated a formal investigation. Senior police inspector Ulhas Kadam said, “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.”Simultaneously, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’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.”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 Rs10 lakh advance.