10-month-old dies after Anganwadi vaccination in Ratlam:Another child critical, family alleges delay in treatment

A 10-month-old child died and another is undergoing treatment after both fell ill following vaccination at an Anganwadi centre in Ratlam district. The incident took place at the Anganwadi centre in Nayakheda village under Bilpank police station limits. On Tuesday afternoon, four children were administered routine vaccines at the centre. Among them were 10-month-old Piyanshu, son of Dharmendra Malviya, and one-and-a-half-year-old Nityanshu, son of Devilal Malviya. According to the family, both children began vomiting and developed diarrhoea about an hour after vaccination. Condition worsened within two hours Family members said Piyanshu was given three vaccines between 12.30 pm and 1 pm — two injections in the arm and one in the thigh. Around 2.30 pm to 3 pm, his condition started deteriorating. He was first taken to the government health centre in Dharad. After primary examination, doctors referred him to Ratlam. The family reached the Mother and Child Care (MCH) unit in Ratlam around 5.30 pm. Doctors there declared the child dead after examination. The body was later sent to the medical college mortuary. A post-mortem was conducted on Wednesday morning. Family files complaint, seeks probe Following the death, the family lodged a complaint at Bilpank police station, seeking an investigation into alleged negligence. Villagers also expressed anger and demanded an impartial inquiry. Dharmendra Malviya said his younger son was crying and had a heartbeat when they reached Ratlam’s Do Batti area. “At Dharad hospital, we were told to take him to Ratlam. No treatment was given there. Time was lost,” he alleged. Police said a case has been registered and further investigation is underway. Another child admitted in ICU Nityanshu, aged one and a half years, is admitted to the Child and Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the MCH unit. His father said the child developed fever, vomiting and diarrhoea after vaccination and was later shifted to Ratlam for treatment. Doctors said his condition has improved. The deceased child and the hospitalised child belong to the same extended family. Doctor’s statement MCH duty doctor Dr Valluri Chandure said two children were brought from Nayakheda after vaccination. “One child was brought without a heartbeat. We performed chest compressions and attempted resuscitation, but he could not be revived. The other child is stable and under observation,” he said. He added that mild fever can occur after vaccination and that conclusions can only be drawn after the post-mortem report. Health officials said further action will depend on medical findings.