NMMC panel finds no medical negligence in Sonam Dongre death at Airoli hospital
An inquiry committee constituted by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has concluded that there was no medical negligence in the death of 30-year-old Sonam Dongre at Rajmata Jijau Hospital in Airoli. The report, presented on July 20, 2026, attributed her death to a severe anaphylactic reaction to a Dexamethasone injection, which was compounded by food aspiration.
The expert committee, headed by Thane Civil Surgeon Dr. Kailash Pawar, presented its findings to the NMMC General Body. The panel comprised specialists from Sir J.J. Hospital, the Navi Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, and experts in forensic medicine, pharmacology, anaesthesiology, and the NMMC's Medical Health Department.
During an inspection on July 8, 2026, the committee visited the hospital, inspected the labour room, and recorded statements from the doctors, nursing staff, sister-in-charge, matron, and medical superintendent. The panel also reviewed treatment files, medicine stocks, and the provisional post-mortem report.
According to the findings, Dongre was administered a second intramuscular dose of Dexamethasone 12 mg as part of standard protocols for managing threatened preterm labour. The committee concluded that the dosage, timing, and route of administration strictly adhered to accepted medical guidelines, and the nursing staff had verified the medication beforehand.
Immediately after adverse reactions were identified, the attending gynaecologist and an anaesthesiologist initiated emergency resuscitation measures. While another patient who suffered a reaction recovered, Dongre's condition deteriorated further due to food aspiration into her airway, causing severe bronchospasm. Despite resuscitation efforts, she could not be revived.
The committee also ruled out lapses in medicine storage or inventory management at the Airoli facility, confirming that the correct, unexpired medicines were administered.
The findings remain preliminary. The final determination of the case is pending a drug analysis report from the Food and Drug Administration and the final post-mortem report from Sir J.J. Hospital.
