Family alleges negligence after doctor’s death in Pune

An ayurvedic vaidya, Laxman Kisan Panmand (51), who was getting treated for paranoid schizophrenia allegedly died under mysterious circumstances at Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), located on Sassoon General Hospital campus.

The resident of Shiroli village in Khed taluka near Pune was admitted to the hospital around a fortnight ago. He was diagnosed with the ailment, for which he had sought treatment earlier, and was on medication.

When he failed to respond favourably to drugs, he was advised electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or shock treatment. On November 2, he was given the fourth dose of this treatment post which his condition deteriorated.

His brother Shankar alleged that the machine was not in working condition on the day of treatment. “He did not regain consciousness within 15-20 minutes, as he usually used to after this treatment. I raised an alarm and doctors put him on oxygen. After 3-4 hours, they declared him dead. We suspect he got an ECT overdose,” he said.

A post-mortem examination was carried out after the family’s allegation, but the cause of death is yet unknown as viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis. The post-mortem report is expected in 15 days.

While MIMH doctors were not forthcoming with details, the institute’s medical superintendent, Dr DB Kulkarni, told DNA that it will be premature to comment on the cause of death.

“He was conscious for 15-20 minutes after the shock treatment is what I learnt after I made enquiries at the department after hearing claims of medical negligence. We can conclusively say what caused the death only after seeing the post-mortem report,”
he said.

According to a senior doctor in the department, who refused to be named, Panmand was conscious for 20 minutes before he collapsed. “He was first put on an oxygen support, then he was shifted to surgical ICU and all possible efforts were made to revive him,” he said.