Mumbai: JJ Hospital panel begins probe into four-month-old Shivansh Patil's death

Shivansh, after the surgery, at Wadia Hospital; (right) Archana Patil in happier times with son Shivansh PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

After months of uncertainty about the reason for the death of their four-month-old son Shivansh Patil at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in April this year, the Patil family has received a glimmer of hope as the alleged medical negligence inquiry gathers pace. "Initially, no one was even ready to take a complaint or hear us out. It was only when a few political people put pressure that things started moving ahead," said Archana Patil, Shivansh's mother.

Records submitted

Officials from Bhoiwada police station have submitted Shivansh's complete medical history and treatment records to the medical negligence committee at JJ Hospital. "Archana Patil had made an application after which we directed Wadia Hospital officials to provide all documents. A direct case of medical negligence cannot be filed against any doctor unless the negligence committee gives clearance. Thus, we have submitted all necessary documents to the committee," said Dattatray Thakur, senior PI, Bhoiwada police station.

Seeking answers

The development comes after the family alleged they were offered Rs 50 lakh in compensation by the hospital, an allegation that intensified their demand for accountability and cancellation of the hospital's medical licence. Speaking to mid-day, the bereaved parents said the probe has rekindled hope after months of frustration. "At least now someone is looking into the matter seriously. We have been living with unanswered questions since our son's death. We only want to know what went wrong and why we lost him," said Archana.

What happened

On March 23, Shivansh was admitted to a private hospital in Kalyan with a high fever. Doctors later advised shifting him to Wadia Hospital as his condition was not improving. On March 29. he was admitted to Wadia Hospital. His parents were told to stop feeding him from the night of March 30. The baby was then given anaesthesia March 31. He underwent surgery after doctors allegedly informed the family that fluid had accumulated in his brain The family claims they later learnt that a stomach surgery too had been performed. Shivansh's condition deteriorated, and he died on April 10. The parents later alleged they were offered R50 lakh in compensation, but maintain they only want answers about what happened to their son.

Official Speak

Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar, associate dean and member of the medical negligence committee, JJ Hospital
‘The committee has formally begun its investigation into the circumstances that led to the child's death, which his parents claim remains unexplained. We will scrutinise the treatment records, procedures followed and the sequence of events leading up to Shivansh's death before submitting our findings. These procedures cannot be rushed; they take time. But we will submit a detailed report at the earliest possible'