19 children develop health complications after getting antibiotic injection in MP hospital
Neemuch (MP), Sep 28: Health condition of at least 19 children undergoing treatment at the paediatric ward of the Neemuch district hospital in Madhya Pradesh deteriorated on Saturday after they were administered antibiotic injections, their family members said.
Officials said at night that the health condition of the children was normal. An investigation is launched, they added.
The district hospital civil surgeon confirmed that the health of some children, aged between two and four years, worsened initially.
"Children, aged between two and four years, were administered antibiotic injection (R Ceftriaxone IP). The health of some of these children deteriorated. It is being investigated whether their health worsened after they were given the injection or if there is any other reason," civil surgeon Dr Mahendra Patil told PTI.
Senior officials from Neemuch rushed to the hospital after parents and relatives of the children staged a protest.
A sub-divisional magistrate said the health condition of the children is normal now.
At least three families took their children to a private hospital while some children were undergoing treatment at the ICU of the district hospital.
Relatives of children claimed that they were admitted to the ICU of the district hospital facility on Saturday night, while some parents rushed their wards to private hospitals.
The condition of children deteriorated after antibiotic injections were administered, claimed Mohammad Rasheed, one of the relatives.
Additional District Collector Lakshmi Gamad, Sub Divisional Magistrate Mamta Khede, Tehsildar Sanjay Malviya, Civil Surgeon Mahendra Patil and others rushed to the hospital and counselled the family members of the children, a relative said.
One Ramjanu Bai claimed that antibiotic injections were given for cold and shivering in the hospital ward after 8 pm. "Soon after, the health of children started deteriorating," she said.
Meanwhile, the SDM said the injection has been sent for testing.
Notably, the Madhya Pradesh government, in August, stopped the use of particular batches of injections manufactured by nine companies due to concerns over their quality.
The Bhopal-based MP Public Health Services Corporation had written to the state Medical Education and Health departments seeking a ban on the distribution and use of particular batches of these injections, officials had said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
