“Two Young Lives Lost: Dengue Suspected, PCMC Denies, Probes Ensue in Pimpri-Chinchwad”

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) initiated an investigation on Thursday following the death of a second child, aged 10, due to high fever and subsequent complications. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if the children had tested positive for dengue. This unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the death of a five-year-old girl who exhibited symptoms similar to dengue.

It is worth noting that while the PCMC stated that the children “died of dengue-like symptoms,” the parents of one of the children claimed that their child experienced internal hemorrhaging, a severe complication of dengue. Dr. Laxman Gofane, the medical officer of health at PCMC, stated, “Based on our initial investigation, we discovered that the two children displayed symptoms resembling dengue but did not test positive for the virus.”

She explained, “On September 13, Revathy developed a high fever. We took her to a local clinic where blood tests revealed a decrease in her platelet count, indicating dengue. Revathy remained at the clinic for three days. On the third day, she complained of stomach pain and swelling on her face. The doctor advised us to undergo an ultrasonography, which we complied with.”

Talekar continued, “While reviewing the ultrasonography report, the doctor informed us that Revathy had developed fluid in her chest and stomach. That night, she began behaving strangely, biting her hands and screaming. The doctor at the clinic stated that she needed to be transferred to the intensive care unit.” Subsequently, Talekar and her family took Revathy to a private hospital in Akurdi. “She was placed on oxygen at the hospital. Until then, although she was crying, she remained conscious, recognized us, and communicated with us. We had made an advance payment to the hospital, but the doctors did not provide any assurance regarding Revathy’s survival,” Talekar shared.

She added, “When the doctors informed us that Revathy required high-frequency oxygen, we transported her to another private hospital in an ambulance equipped with an oxygen facility. During this time, she appeared stable, and her pulse rate was normal.”

Talekar further stated, “During the admission of Revathy to a private hospital, she experienced internal bleeding. Initially, she required oxygen support, but her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she had to be put on a ventilator. Subsequently, she was placed on a high frequency ventilator. However, the internal bleeding continued to worsen.”

“At first, the bleeding was observed in her urine, but it later started to occur from her nose and mouth. Her white blood cell count and haemoglobin levels continued to decrease. Despite receiving plasma and blood transfusions, the bleeding persisted. A costly injection worth Rs 30,000 was administered, but it proved to be ineffective.

At this point, only her kidney remained functional, as all other organs had failed. Despite the mounting medical expenses, there was no improvement in the child’s condition. Consequently, the doctors gave up, and we made the decision to transfer her to YCM Hospital,” Talekar explained.

Throughout this ordeal, the medical bills for Revathy’s treatment amounted to Rs 3.8 lakh. “We recount our harrowing experience to raise awareness among families that there is no available treatment in Pimpri-Chinchwad or Pune city. It is our responsibility to take care of our children ourselves. We witnessed our child’s demise, feeling helpless to save her. It is our hope that no family should ever have to endure such a tragedy,” Talekar added. When questioned about the family’s ordeal, the PCMC assured a thorough investigation into the matter.

“Internal bleeding occurs when there is a significant decrease in platelet count. We will ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding this case. The information we have received thus far from the parents of both children indicates dengue-like symptoms. We have reached out to the Pune Municipal Corporation to obtain a report regarding the child’s death at a hospital within their jurisdiction,” Dr Gofane stated.