KDMC Responds to Patient Death by Taking Action Against Indicted Staff for Ambulance Delays

A preliminary investigation into the death of Savita Birajdar, a critically ill patient at a civic hospital in Thane district, has revealed serious negligence by some staff and ambulance drivers. The 43-year-old woman died at Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan East, allegedly due to delays in medical treatment. Her family claimed that an ambulance driver failed to promptly transfer her to another hospital.

Birajdar's family alleged she waited nearly five hours at the hospital because the ambulance driver was reluctant to act. Following this incident, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Commissioner Abhinav Goyal issued show-cause notices to the hospital's doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and administrative staff. "It is deeply unfortunate that a woman lost her life in a municipal hospital due to the lack of basic ambulance services," he said.

Investigation Findings and Actions

The KDMC's Medical Health Department conducted a preliminary enquiry, concluding that serious lapses by hospital staff and ambulance drivers directly contributed to the delay in medical treatment and Birajdar's death on May 5. The inquiry report indicted drivers Harishchandra Yeshwantrao and Pramod Lasure for delaying the patient's transfer. Driver Maruti Nikam took the ambulance for fuel without authorisation.

Contracted doctor Dr. Umesh Patel had examined Birajdar and referred her to specialist physician Dr. Nishikant Sharma, who advised immediate neurologist consultation at either KEM Hospital or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital Kalwa. A written referral was issued by 2 PM on May 5, and her family was asked to arrange an ambulance. Despite this, the ambulance service was delayed until 3:10 PM.

Administrative Response and Public Reaction

During the transfer, Birajdar's health deteriorated, forcing staff to bring her back to the casualty ward. Upon re-examination, doctors could not detect a pulse or blood pressure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, and emergency injections like Atropine and Adrenaline were administered, but Savita was declared dead at 3:45 PM.

Nurse Namita Bhoye and Sister-in-Charge Jayshree Raikar failed to escalate the matter to the Chief Medical Officer, whereas Dr. Patel did not follow up on the referral or notify higher medical authorities. The KDMC suspended Raikar and drivers Nikam, Lasure, and Yeshwantrao while relieving contractual doctor Umesh Patel and nurse Namita Bhoye from duty.

Hospital Inspection and New Directives

Earlier in the day, civic commissioner Goel paid a surprise visit to the hospital in the morning and reviewed its functioning. Disguised as a regular patient, he inspected the Outpatient Department (OPD), checked staff attendance, and found that the OPD had not started on time. The KDMC stated that he has issued fresh directives.

The new directives include mandatory biometric attendance tied to salary, a digital inventory system for medicines, immediate commencement of gynaecology and maternity OPDs, weekly surprise inspections, and disciplinary action for future delays. The death of Birajdar triggered public outrage with political leaders visiting the hospital and municipal headquarters demanding immediate action against those responsible for administrative lapses.

With inputs from PTI