Maharashtra Child Misdiagnosed: Typhoid Patient Erroneously Prescribed Diabetes and Heart Medication
In a startling case of medical negligence at Manomi Multi Speciality Hospital in Kalyan, Maharashtra, a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with typhoid and pneumonia was prescribed drugs meant for type-2 diabetes and heart-related chest pain (angina). This serious error was discovered only when the patient’s family sought a second opinion. The incident has raised urgent concerns about prescription protocols, patient safety, and accountability.
What Actually Happened?
The young patient was being treated for typhoid and pneumonia, common yet serious illnesses in children. However, during a hospital visit, the attending doctor reportedly issued two separate prescriptions—one with appropriate typhoid medications, and another that included:
Sitagliptin phosphate and Metformin hydrochloride (for type-2 diabetes) St Sprin 75 (a blood thinner used to manage heart attacks, strokes, and angina)
These medications have no relevance to typhoid or pneumonia, and could be harmful if taken unnecessarily by a child.
How Was the Error Discovered?
The child’s mother, Ankita Ravi Gaikwad, became suspicious and asked the prescribing doctor if the medications were appropriate. The doctor reassured her that everything was fine. It was only when they visited another doctor for an injection that the grievous mistake came to light. The second doctor confirmed these were drugs for diabetes and heart conditions—not applicable to the child—and alerted the family to discontinue them immediately.
The Hospital’s Response
The hospital administration acknowledged the error. According to Dr. Sunny Singh, a hospital representative:
The prescribing doctor, Dr. Rusha, was handling multiple cases and mistakenly mixed up prescriptions. Once the mistake was identified, the family was promptly informed not to administer the incorrect medications. The child was instead advised to receive appropriate treatment via an injection, skipping the unnecessary oral drugs.
Why This Matters: Dangers of Prescription Errors
This case underscores the gravity of prescription mistakes in healthcare settings:
Unnecessary side effects: Medications like metformin and sitagliptin can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or hypoglycemia. Child vulnerability: Children are especially sensitive to drug side effects due to different metabolism and dosages. Loss of trust: Such errors erode patient confidence in hospitals and the medical system as a whole.
Systemic Issues at Play
Several concerning themes emerge:
a) Workload & Oversight Gaps
The prescribing doctor was reportedly managing another patient at the time—highlighting workflow pressures that can lead to oversight.
b) Need for Verification Systems
A systematic double-check mechanism—such as pharmacist review or digital prescription alerts—could prevent such errors.
Accountability & Legal Recourse
The family has expressed intention to pursue legal action against the hospital. This case demonstrates the need for enforceable standards and accountability in medical practice.
Broader Context: Prescribing Safety Across India
While prescribing errors are not unique to this hospital, they raise important considerations for health systems:
A 2021 review emphasized the importance of linking diagnosis to treatment to reduce misuse of medication. Cases of unqualified practitioners prescribing medication—sometimes fatally—have been reported before, especially in underserved areas.
What’s Next?
To address the fallout and prevent repetition:
The family may file a negligence case against the hospital. The hospital should conduct a root-cause analysis, reviewing prescription protocols and staff training. Implementation of safeguards like e-prescription systems with built-in error-check prompts could mitigate risks. Authorities and medical boards may need to reassess enforcement of safety protocols in clinics and hospitals.
A 10-year-old in Kalyan, Maharashtra, diagnosed with typhoid, was mistakenly given diabetes and heart medication. Here’s a full explainer of how it happened, the risks involved, and what comes next.
