3 children die after taking cough syrup prescribed by Mohalla Clinic; Delhi govt sacks 3 doctors
New Delhi, Dec 21: Three children died at the Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital here due to drug poisoning after consuming a cough suppressant allegedly prescribed by mohalla clinic doctors, prompting the Delhi government to terminate the services of three doctors and order an inquiry into the matter.
The BJP and the Congress demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain over the incident and compensation for the families of the three children.
According to officials, the Centre-run Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital reported 16 cases of dextromethorphan poisoning among children aged between one and six from June 29 to November 21.
"Most of the children complained of respiratory depression. The three children who died had come in a bad shape," a senior doctor at the hospital told PTI.
Health Minister Jain said the city government has terminated the services of three doctors over the deaths of children. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the guilty won't be spared.
"Three children died at the Kalawati Saran Hospital due to an adverse drug reaction a few days ago. As soon as we got to know about it, we terminated the services of three doctors and ordered an inquiry. We have also complained about the incident to the Delhi Medical Council," the minister said.
The Delhi government also set up a four-member inquiry committee on Monday. Chief District Medical Officer (Southeast Delhi) Dr Geeta will head the panel that has been asked to submit a report in seven days, according to an order.
The hospital administration reported the matter to the Union health ministry and the Delhi government on July 1. The ministry initiated an inquiry into the matter in October-end, a senior doctor said.
Dextromethorphan is one of the most widely used cough suppressants. However, it is subject to abuse.
The consumption of high doses of the drug can lead to insomnia, dilated pupils, dizziness, nausea, restlessness, shallow breathing and diarrhoea, etc.
On December 7, Dr Sunil Kumar of the Directorate General Health Services, under the Union health ministry, wrote to the Delhi government asking it to stop doctors at dispensaries and mohalla clinics from prescribing dextromethorphan for children aged below 4.
Dr Kumar also suggested the city government withdraw the drug manufactured by Omega Pharma in the larger public interest.
"It is hereby informed that 16 cases of dextromethorphan poisoning were reported in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, out of which three children have expired. These children were prescribed the dextromethorphan drug by mohalla clinics of Delhi government and the drug is strictly not recommended for paediatric age children," the letter read.
Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said the harsh reality of the "much-publicised world-class mohalla clinics has come out before everyone."
He demanded the resignation of Kejriwal and Jain and compensation for the families of the deceased children.
Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of the three children who died and Rs 10 lakh financial help for the 13 other children.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
EC notice to Bihar Deputy CM over alleged possession of two voter IDs
Patna: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday issued a notice to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha over allegations of possessing two voter identity cards and being registered in two separate assembly constituencies.
The action follows a complaint by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who earlier in the day alleged that Sinha was a registered voter in both Lakhisarai and Bankipur assembly constituencies, located in different districts. Speaking to reporters, Yadav questioned what steps had been taken against Sinha.
According to officials, the notice, issued by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for Bankipur constituency, seeks an explanation from Sinha by August 14 on why he holds two voter IDs.
The controversy coincided with a protest by opposition MPs, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sharad Pawar, who marched from Parliament House towards the EC headquarters in New Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar. The protestors, wearing white caps marked with a red cross over the words “SIR” and “vote chori,” were stopped by police near Transport Bhawan.
_vb_02.jpeg)
