On the same day, another eight-month pregnant woman, Richa Mishra, who was also administered pre-delivery injections, suffered a severe medical deterioration and was shifted to Fortis Hospital in Vashi on ventilator support. Her condition has since reportedly improved.
According to Sonam Dongre’s husband, Karan Dongre, the hospital staff’s negligence led to the death of both his wife and unborn child. He alleged that despite her health deteriorating after the injection, doctors and nursing staff on duty kept her at the Airoli hospital for nearly three hours. He further claimed that the family was not informed transparently about her condition until she was eventually transferred to NMMC Hospital in Vashi, where she later died during treatment.
NMMC Health Officer Dr. Rajesh Mhatre stated that Sonam Dongre had been admitted to the Airoli facility on 30 June after she complained of abdominal cramps during the eighth month of pregnancy. She was admitted due to a suspected risk of premature delivery.
Dr. Mhatre confirmed that at approximately 3:00 PM on 1 July, Dongre was administered dexamethasone, an injection used to accelerate fetal lung development and reduce the risk of respiratory complications in case of premature birth. However, her condition allegedly deteriorated immediately after administration, and she lost consciousness.
Despite ongoing medical intervention, her condition worsened, and she was transferred to NMMC Hospital in Vashi at around 5:40 PM. She was declared dead at approximately 6:15 PM, as medical treatment failed to revive her.
In a parallel case, Richa Mishra was administered dexamethasone along with another injection intended to relax uterine muscles and delay premature labor. Officials stated that her condition is now stable and she has been taken off ventilator support.
Following the incident, political parties including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena staged protests in the office of NMMC Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, demanding accountability. In response to mounting pressure, NMMC suspended gynecologist Dr. Bhavana Pagare with immediate effect on charges of alleged negligence.
Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee led by the Thane District Surgeon. The committee includes a department head from Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, members of the Navi Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, and the NMMC Health Officer. Authorities have been given at least 15 days to complete the investigation, during which the suspended doctor will remain under suspension.
In addition, the administration has ordered an immediate halt on the use of the injections administered to both patients. The entire batch of the drugs has been sealed, and samples have been sent to the Food and Drug Administration office in Thane for laboratory testing.
The incident has triggered widespread concern over patient safety and emergency obstetric care protocols in public hospitals, raising urgent questions about clinical accountability and institutional response mechanisms.
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