7-year-old girl dies after leg surgery at MIMS, family accuses negligence

Mandya: Days after undergoing a leg surgery at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), a seven-year-old girl from Nellore village in Malavalli reportedly lost her life due to severe infection and multiple organ failure. Her parents accused the doctors of medical negligence, claiming that the wrong medicine was administered during her treatment.

Feeling devastated over the loss of their daughter, the grieving parents and villagers staged a protest and sat on a dharna in front of MIMS Hospital, demanding justice and strict action against the doctors and hospital, accusing them of medical negligence.

Tragically, this is not the first time the family has faced such a loss. Just six months ago, the couple lost their newborn daughter a day after her birth at the same hospital. Now, with both daughters gone, the parents are devastated and inconsolable.

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Taking serious note of the incident, the district administration has set up an expert committee to probe the matter. The committee has been formed by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar, who instructed the panel to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report within 15 days.

The panel will be headed by Dr. Pradeep, Head of the Paediatrics Department at Mysore Medical College. Other members include Dr. Mahesh, Head of Bone and Joint Care at BG Nagar; Dr. Balakrishna, Head of Surgery; Dr. Chetanananda, Head of Anaesthesia; and Dr. Somashekar, District Tuberculosis Control Officer, who will serve as the Member Secretary.

The incident took place after the girl injured her leg on May 26 while playing, when a tile fell on her foot, causing a fracture and some internal injuries. Her parents first took her to a private hospital in Malavalli, where she was treated as an outpatient for four days.

As her condition worsened and the pain increased, she was brought to MIMS on May 29. Doctors conducted an X-ray and confirmed the fracture. She underwent surgery the same day. However, soon after the operation, she began vomiting and had loose motions.

According to hospital authorities, she developed a severe infection that led to septicaemia and eventually caused multi-organ failure. She died on the night of May 31.

Her sudden death triggered protests from her family and villagers at the hospital on Sunday, blaming the doctors for negligence. However, the situation was calmed after SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, along with MIMS director Dr Narasimha Swamy, arrived at the spot.

Soon after their arrival, the protesters came down heavily on the director and alleged that it was because of the negligence of doctors that she died. Dr Narasimha Swamy and the SP assured the protesters, including the family members, that an impartial inquiry would be conducted and that those found negligent would face stringent action. The girl’s body has been shifted to the KR Hospital for post-mortem.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Narasimha Swamy said, "After the operation on May 29, she began vomiting and experienced loose motions. She developed septicaemia, which led to a severe infection. Despite being moved to the ICU, the infection spread rapidly, resulting in multi-organ failure. Her condition worsened, and she passed away on May 31."

Following her death, Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi assured the family that the course of action would be decided after obtaining a report from a team of doctors.

“The girl’s body has been sent to the KR hospital now for post-mortem. A team of doctors will check everything in detail and submit a report on it. Based on the report, we will conduct the investigation and initiate action," he told SF.

Taking the matter seriously, a review meeting was conducted at MIMS Hospital by MLA Ganiga Ravikumar and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar. During the meeting, officials collected detailed information regarding the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.

MLA Ganiga told IBC World News, “We have received different versions—one from the doctors and another from the parents. A medical team from Mysore KR Hospital will look into the matter. MIMS officials claim there was no negligence, but we must uncover the truth. It is essential to determine whether the death was due to a health issue or medical negligence. Hence, an impartial investigation is underway.”

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