Infant dies after consuming cough syrup in Chhindwara:Family allegedly blames medicine; authorities seal pharmacy and launch health department probe

A case of the death of a 5-month-old infant came to light on Thursday morning in the Bichhua area of Chhindwara. The family alleges that the child’s health deteriorated and she died after consuming medicine given by a medical store. Taking the matter seriously, the administration has sealed the medical store. According to information, the health of Ruhi Minote, the 5-month-old daughter of Sandeep Minote, a resident of Bichhua village, suddenly deteriorated early on Thursday. The family took her to the Bichhua Community Health Center around 4:30 AM, where doctors declared her dead after examination. Family members say that The girl had a cold and cough, for which she took medicine from Kurethe Medical Store Bichhua on October 27 for treatment. The store owner gave 16 sachets, including a ‘Kasamrit Cough Syrup’. After administering this medicine, the girl’s health began to deteriorate and she died. Upon receiving information about the incident, a team from the health department and administration reached the spot. The suspicious medicines were seized and an official report (panchnama) was prepared. Following this, the administration took cognizance of the entire matter and sealed the Kurethe Medical Store. Recently, instructions were issued by the administration that cough syrup should not be given to small children, but despite this, serious questions are being raised about the medical store owner giving cough syrup. The family members have lodged a complaint at Bichhua police station regarding the matter. Currently, the administration and health department teams are engaged in the investigation, while there is deep anger among the family members after the girl’s death.