30-year-old dies at Aundh District Hospital; family alleges misdiagnosis

Pune: In a recent case of alleged medical negligence, a 30-year-old man died after reportedly being misdiagnosed at Aundh District Hospital (ADH), prompting the public health department to constitute a committee to investigate the incident.

The deceased man's family has alleged that doctors treated his severe chest pain as acidity instead of a suspected heart attack and have demanded criminal action against those responsible.

According to the officials, the patient, a resident of Mamata Nagar, Old Sangvi, was taken to the district hospital in the early hours of January 18, around 3.40 am, after complaining of severe chest pain. The family alleged that doctors on emergency duty conducted an ECG (electrocardiography) test, but reportedly ruled out a cardiac problem and diagnosed him with acidity and nausea.

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Devastated by the sudden loss, the family initially refused to accept the body, accusing hospital staff of negligence and demanding that a case of culpable homicide be filed against the doctors involved. They later received the body after Sangvi police assured them that an expert medical report from Sassoon General Hospital would guide further action.

Health activist Sharad Shetty said that Aundh District Hospital lacks full-time cardiac specialists and adequate heart care facilities. He stated that if the patient had been referred to a hospital with proper cardiac treatment facilities or to Sassoon Hospital, his life could have been saved, reports the Bridge Chronicle.

In a complaint lodged with Sangvi police, the patient’s brother stated that doctors refused to admit his brother despite repeated requests and allegedly threatened to call the police if the family did not leave. He added that his brother would have been alive if the doctors had given the right treatment, and that there was negligence on the part of the doctor and staff, who should be booked for culpable homicide.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Senior police inspector Jitendra Koli, attached to Sangvi police station, said, “We have received the complaint from the deceased’s family. The case will be referred to the Medical Board of Sassoon General Hospital, which will probe if there was medical negligence, if any. Based on the report and recommendation of the hospital committee, further action will be taken,” he said.

The Aundh District Hospital has constituted a three-member committee to probe the incident. The panel is headed by Dr. Amit Lavekar, additional district civil surgeon, and includes Dr Sudhil Daholtikar, medical officer of Sub-District Hospital Manchar, and Dr. Rajabhau Thorat, medical officer, ADH.

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