Rajmata Jijau Hospital doctor suspended over alleged medical negligence; inquiry panel to investigate two pregnancy-related cases involving dexamethasone injection
A gynaecologist at the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)-run Rajmata Jijau Hospital in Airoli has been suspended following allegations of medical negligence after a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child died due to complications that reportedly developed after she was administered a dexamethasone injection before delivery.
The suspension comes amid mounting public outrage and protests, with the civic body ordering a high-level inquiry into the incident and a second similar case reported at the same hospital.
Woman’s Condition Deteriorated After Injection
According to officials, the deceased woman, who was eight months pregnant, was admitted to the Airoli hospital on June 30 after experiencing labour cramps suggestive of premature delivery.
On July 1, doctors reportedly administered a dexamethasone injection, a medication commonly used to promote fetal lung development when premature birth is anticipated.
Soon after receiving the injection, her condition allegedly deteriorated rapidly. She was later shifted to the NMMC Hospital in Vashi, where she died during treatment. Her unborn child could not be saved.
Family Alleges Delay in Referral
The woman’s husband has accused hospital authorities of negligence, alleging that despite her worsening condition, she remained under observation at the Airoli hospital for nearly three hours before being referred to a higher centre.
He further claimed that hospital staff failed to inform the family about the seriousness of her condition until she was transferred to the Vashi hospital, where she died at approximately 6:15 pm.
NMMC Explains Sequence of Events
Speaking on the incident, Dr Rajesh Mhatre, Medical Officer of Health (MOH), NMMC, said the patient had been admitted for management of premature labour after developing cramps during the eighth month of pregnancy.
He stated that as her condition worsened, she was shifted to the Vashi hospital at around 5:40 pm, where doctors declared her dead despite treatment.
Another Pregnant Woman Falls Critically Ill
On the same day, another woman who was also eight months pregnant reportedly received dexamethasone along with Duvadilan injections at the Airoli hospital for the management of threatened premature labour.
Her condition also deteriorated, requiring ventilator support at Fortis Hospital, Vashi.
According to officials, the patient has since shown significant improvement and is now stable and responsive.
Civic Body Suspends Doctor, Orders Inquiry
Following protests by political parties, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation suspended the concerned gynaecologist with immediate effect pending investigation.
NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde announced the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee to examine both pregnancy-related cases.
The committee will be chaired by the Thane District Surgeon and include senior experts from JJ Hospital, representatives of the Navi Mumbai Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society, and officials from the NMMC Health Department.
The panel has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.
Injection Samples Sent for Laboratory Testing
As a precautionary measure, civic authorities have withdrawn the entire batch of the concerned injections from all municipal hospitals.
Samples of the medication have been sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for laboratory analysis to determine whether any manufacturing or quality-related issues contributed to the incidents.
Officials clarified that the injections were well within their validity period, with expiry dates ranging between January and March 2027.
Authorities Promise Strict Action
Following a visit to the surviving patient’s hospital, Navi Mumbai Mayor Sujata Patil said that no individual responsible for endangering patients’ lives would be spared.
She directed officials to take immediate action against anyone found prima facie responsible based on the findings of the inquiry.
The high-level committee’s report is expected to establish the exact cause of the incidents, determine whether any medical negligence occurred and recommend further administrative or legal action against those found responsible.
