Tragic Deaths of Children Linked to Contaminated Cough Syrup in Madhya Pradesh

Government Doctor Arrested Amid Cough Syrup Scandal

In Madhya Pradesh, a government doctor has been apprehended for allegedly prescribing a banned cough syrup linked to the deaths of several children. Authorities reported that the death toll in the state has now reached 14.

Families Struggle After Losing Their Children

Families in Chhindwara district, who lost their children after consuming the tainted cough syrup, have faced immense hardship. Many sold their valuables and even pawned jewelry in a desperate attempt to save their children, only to find themselves burdened with debt after their efforts proved futile.

A Father's Heartbreaking Story

Yasin Khan, a resident of Parasia, lost his four-year-old son, Usayd, after he developed a mild fever and cough. Khan sought treatment from a local doctor, who recommended the Coldrif cough syrup, later found to be toxic. Unaware of the danger, Khan followed the doctor's advice, but Usayd's condition worsened, leading to his transfer from a Chhindwara hospital to one in Nagpur, where he passed away on September 13. Khan lamented that he sold his auto-rickshaw, his only source of income, to save his son.

Devastation Strikes Again

Khan's wife pawned her wedding jewelry to cover medical expenses. Their suffering intensified when part of their home collapsed while they were in Nagpur for treatment. Khan's story is not unique; many families in Parasia, primarily from low-income backgrounds, are grappling with similar tragedies. Daily wage laborer Vikas Yadav and his wife lost their young son on September 27 after he also consumed the contaminated syrup. With tears in his eyes, Yadav shared that they borrowed nearly five lakh rupees from relatives and villagers for treatment, leaving them drowning in debt.

Government Response and Assistance

In a bid to provide some relief, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced a compensation of four lakh rupees for each grieving family. However, this amount is seen as insufficient in light of their pain and financial struggles. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited affected families in Chhindwara, promising government support and strict action against those responsible. He stated that a ban has been placed on the medications from the factory in Tamil Nadu linked to the incident, and directives have been issued to restrict products from two other factories as well. Both the central and Tamil Nadu governments have been informed about the situation, and the government is committed to acting sensitively.

Ongoing Investigations

The tragic incident has led to the deterioration of kidney health in 14 children in Chhindwara, all of whom have died due to the contaminated syrup. Among the deceased, 11 were from the Parasia sub-district, two from Chhindwara city, and one from Chaurai tehsil. Currently, eight children are receiving treatment in Nagpur, with four in a government hospital, one at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and three in private hospitals. The Madhya Pradesh police have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deaths and have filed a case against the manufacturer of the Coldrif cough syrup based in Tamil Nadu.