Betul (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 5 (ANI): Two children have died in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district, reportedly due to consuming a cough syrup, said Chief Medical and Health Officer of Betul, Dr Manoj Hurmade, on Sunday.
Speaking to ANI, Dr Hurmade said that two children of Amla block of Betul district were treated by a private doctor in Parasia, Chhindwara, following which their health deteriorated and they were referred to another hospital, where they died.
Dr Hurmade stated, “Block Medical Officer (BMO) of the Amla block informed me that two children from their block were treated by a private doctor in Parasia, Chhindwara district…After their health deteriorated, they were referred to another hospital, where they died. However, it would be inappropriate to say at this time whether their health deteriorated after drinking the cough syrup or not…”
The Chief Medical and Health Officer of Betul further said that he has issued an advisory in the district to the Chemists’ Association not to sell any medicines without a registered doctor’s prescription.
“I have also issued an advisory in the district, urging the drug inspector, the Secretary and the President of the Chemists’ Association not to sell any prescription medicines at medical stores or public medicine centres without a registered doctor’s letter, as this incident occurred in a nearby district. Therefore, we all should pay attention to this and should not sell any such medicine unless a doctor gives a written prescription…” he asserted.
At least 14 deaths have been reported due to the alleged consumption of a cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, said an official on Sunday.
Apart from these 14 deaths, eight children have been admitted to Chhindwara’s Nagpur hospital.
Speaking to ANI, Additional District Magistrate of Chhindwara, Dhirendra Singh, stated that a drug controller team has been formed and is conducting raids at various locations in Chhindwara and nearby districts to seize the banned cough syrup.
He added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed in the case.
“14 deaths have been reported to us. Compensation has been approved for it, and the amount has reached their account. 8 children of Chhindwara are admitted to a hospital. A team has been constituted at the administration level to monitor them. Doctors and the Executive Magistrate are part of that team. The Drug Controller has formed a team. Raids are being conducted for the search for banned cough syrup in the Chhindwara and nearby districts, and it is being seized. SIT has also been formed, and it is heading to Tamil Nadu for investigation,” ADM Dhirendra Singh said. (ANI)